view raw text
g ! PHAR LAP IN U. S., FIT I AFTER SMOOTH VOYAGE SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 15. A foreign aristocrat of the turf has invaded the United States and thrown down the gage of battle to this countrys brightest stars of his kind. He is Phar Lap, champion of champions of the Antipodes, familiarly known as "The Red Terror" in his Anzac homeland. The gelding arrived at San Francisco early today aboard the steamship Monowai, and two hours after docking he was lowered to the pier and taken by van to Tanforan, fifteen miles distant. "The Red Terror" is certainly reddish in color, but he was anything but terrible in appearance. His demeanor was gentle composed and kindly, almost benevolent, throughout the debarking, despite the throng of handlers and admiring onlookers who crowded close about him. Phar Lap is a giant in size, with long, slim, rangy legs that appeared to be without blemish. The casual observer is struck t by the beauty and symmetry of his head. It is small and pointed. The ears are almost tiny and are pertly held. The eyes are bright and bespeak great intelligence, his rump is sturdy and strong, plainly showing even to the untrained eye the bountiful muscles which propel the animal over the ground at high speed. During the short walk from the ship to the van, Phar Lap showed no signs of stale-ness, though there was a complete absence of the skittishness that sometimes characterizes the high strung thoroughbred horse. For that matter, "The Red Terror" seemed to know what it was all about, and was not in the least excited. He is stabled in the private barn of John W. Marchbank. The 10,000-mile journey was accomplished without incident. Phar Lap enjoyed a specially constructed twenty by twenty foot cabin near the stern of the ship, on the passenger deck. And close alongside was a thirty by thirty open-top stall, also built especially for his use. The floor of this stall was covered with two feet of beach sand. The royal Australian was accompanied by a retinue of three man-servants. They were his trainer, Tom Woodcock, Dr. William Nielsen, a veterinarian, and jockey Jimmy Martin. Martin came along to gallop the horse in his training work. Jockey J. Elliott, Continued on second page. PHAR LAP IN UNITED STATES Continued from first page. saddle star of the country "down under," will shortly Eail for California, and will likely pilot Phar Lap in his actual races, it was said. But if any hitch comes in this plan, then H. Gray, veteran rider of New Zealand, will be called upon for the job. Thirty bales of the best mixed rye, grass and clover hay grown in New Zealand were brought along, more than sufficient to provide munching provender for Phar Lap during his American campaign. The Bureau of Plant Quarantine permitted the handling of this hay after close inspection revealed it as fungus-free. Carrots and oats comprised the rest of the animals diet en voyage. It is not likely that Phar Lap will be taken to John W Marchbanks Heather Farm for a further rest, as was at first planned before entraining for Agua Caliente to begin the arduous task of getting into racing trim for the 0,000 handicap, which is set for decision Sunday, March 20. Instead, owner D. J. Davis said he would probably leave the horse at Tanforan for several days, and then have him shipped direct to the Mexican course. j
