Phar Lap (1983) - full transcript

Yeah, you know what's
coming up, don't ya?

Hang on a minute.

Hang on. I've gotta mix it up.

That's it.

Yeah.

You're a good fella today.

You love all that
stuff now, don't ya?

Crowds and cheering.

The bigger, the better?

What's the matter?

You're sick. Bill.



Cashy, get in here. Bobby's sick.

What did he eat yesterday?

Just his usual feed
and a bit of grass.

- Alfalfa?
- Yes.

Was it wet?

Look, it's not colic.
It's something worse.

I know what I'm doing.

Ooh, matey.

That's the boy.

Bill. Cashy. Where
the hell are ya?

- What's the matter?
- He's getting worse, Bill.

Mate, come on.

We'd better get the vet at
Tanforan. Keep him moving.

Ok. Come on.



Come on. You've gotta keep going.

Come on.

Oh, Bobby, you can't.

Please, get up.

Please.

Please, make him get up.

Oh, Bobby.

No.

No, you can't die. Please.

Please, no.

Bobby.

♪ The wonder horse ♪

♪ Known on every course ♪

♪ From Australia to ♪

This is the Don Lee Radio Network.

Today the turf world is in tears.

Phar Lap, whom some say
is the greatest...

This is KMTR, Los Angeles.

Governor Rolph of California

has appealed to all
the relevant agencies

to mobilise their forces
in a joint effort

to seek out the cause
of Phar Lap's death.

Mr Wendell Vincent,
chief of Western

Food and Drug Administration,

says that arsenic
trioxide was found

in the horse's liver and lungs.

As his autopsy revealed
no such evidence of...

Dr T.R. Creel, an American vet,

told the press that he
didn't die of colic.

They all suddenly got together

and issued a joint statement

saying, in effect, they
don't know how he died

and probably never will.

However, Dr Nielsen, Phar
Lap's Australian veterinarian

declared he had no such doubts.

The horse died of
an irritant poison.

And I know what it means when
the lining has been eaten away.

I'd like to have come to
some other conclusion,

but I'm afraid it's impossible.

Please stand for 30 seconds,

as a tribute to the
great racehorse,

Phar Lap, who died last week.

This is KMTR, Los Angeles.

Mr Telford.

Mr Telford, can you have a few
words with me about the tragedy?

Leave me alone.

Do you think he was poisoned?

What does it matter? He's dead.

Well, why is it, do you think,

that there's been this incredible
reaction to Phar Lap's death?

After all, he was just a horse.

He wasn't just a horse.

He was the best.

He's a bit skinny,
isn't he, Harry?

He's lost condition
on the voyage over.

Harry, he's only come
from New Zealand.

Well, he's just a colt.

Why's he got all those warts?

Well, you don't buy horses
just for their looks.

I wonder what your American
friend's going to say.

This has gotta be a joke.

Harry, you got the
real horse hidden

around the back somewhere, right?

He's got a good, big frame.

Go on.

This is not a horse, Harry.

This is a cross between a
sheepdog and a kangaroo.

You told me this thing was
gonna be a champion, huh?

Well, he will be, Mr Davis.

He's got Carbine on both
sides of his bloodline.

Greatest horse of them all.

Greatest of them all.

I paid £168 for this, Harry, sight
unseen from a goddamn catalogue.

Now, I'll tell you the truth,

I don't really care who he's
got in his family tree.

Why the hell didn't you write
across to New Zealand,

ask somebody to look
at him for you?

Well, he'll fill out.

He will, huh? Harry.

Some guy told me his sire
and dam were hopeless,

didn't win a race between them.

- Night Raid out of...
- Entreaty.

Entreaty.

Did not win a single race,
either one of them.

Well, he's got good
blood further back.

Now, no one looks further back.

Sell him.

But you've gotta
give him a chance.

Why? I'm not paying
you to feed and

train something that
looks like that.

I'm not in the habit of throwing
good money after bad, my friend.

Well, if you sell him without

giving him a chance,
you're a fool.

I assure you I'm no fool.

Sell him for the best
price you can get.

I'll lease him, then.

Well, I can't buy him.
Haven't got the money.

You sign him over to me for three
years, I'll pay for his upkeep.

Give you a third of his winnings.

Three years?

Well, if you're so bloody
sure he's a no-hoper,

what have you got to lose?

What have I got to lose?

How can we afford to
lease him, Harry?

I'm the one who has to
face the feed merchant

when he comes for his
money on Mondays.

You just scoot out the back.

You've got about as much
faith in me as Davis.

You know who that colt's
got in his bloodline?

Carbine twice through Musket.

There's St. Frusquin,
Prayer Wheel, Winkle...

Harry. I haven't
even got the money

to buy your son's new shoes.

All Cappy's clothes
are hand-me-downs.

Well, that horse is
gonna be a champion.

Well, can't anyone
understand that?

He's gonna be a champion.

Get out, you bastard.

It's the big fella,
Happy Harry's horse.

Come on.

Pick on someone your own size.

Youse try and do better.

- Think you're smart, don't ya?
- Smarter than you, son.

You try and put a bridle on him.

He'll bloody well
do the same to you.

Come on, Tommy.

Yeah, go on.

Alright, I'll have a go.

Ta. Ta.

Good, mate.

That's it.

Ready.

You got a real goer
this time, Harry.

Jeez, you can pick 'em, Harry.

Harry knows his bloodlines.

I suppose you'd pick
one like that for me.

Go on, you bloody
mongrel. Get away.

Excuse me. What is
that horse's name?

Milkal's Galloping Giraffe.

- Cattle.
- Rocket.

How about Lightning?

Mr Ping, what's the word for
'lightning' in your lingo?

- Farlap.
- Got a name for the colt, Harry.

Lay off, McCready.

No, seriously. Pingy
reckons it's really lucky.

I'll write it down
for you, Mr Telford.

Very lucky.

Gotta have seven letters.

Last four Melbourne Cup
winners had seven letters.

Melbourne Cup? You've
gotta be joking.

Yes, Mr Telford. Seven letters.

Phar Lap it is.

Take the bloody thing
back to the stables.

- Go, Lightning.
- Good one, Lightning.

"So the king saw
the beautiful girl

"with the golden star
upon her brow..."

"and was so enchanted
with her beauty

"that he asked if she
would become his bride."

Here's Daddy.

What's wrong?

Oh, he's lazy.

Bone lazy.

Still won't run.

Oh, give up on him,
Harry. Sell him.

I'm not gonna give him
that satisfaction.

He's going to learn to work
hard even if it kills me.

You poor little beggar.

Whoa, matey.

Whoa, mate.

You'll be alright, mate. Hold on.

Hold on.

You'll be right. Hold on, matey.

Get up. Come on.

Get yourself up.

That's a boy.

You're alright, are ya?

Just worked into
the bloody ground?

I can't pay you this week, Tommy.

Just have to wait
till I have a win.

I didn't come about that.

I've just seen Phar Lap.

Oh, yeah.

He shouldn't have been
left like that, boss.

He looks half-dead.

And I don't think you
should work him so hard.

There's one thing I
don't tolerate, sonny,

stable hands who tell
me how to do my job.

Now, pack your things
and clear out.

I was just worried
about the horse.

Hard work never killed any horse.

If a few more trainers cottoned on

to that they might
do a lot better.

Now, pack your things and get.

And all you said was that
he looked half-dead?

I reckon it's just not fair.

Keep your nose out of it, Emma,
it's none of your business.

But he is killing
the horse, Missus.

Lazy horses are like lazy people,
they have to be jolted out of it.

Now take your places, please.
Don't let your food go cold.

For what we are about to receive

may the Lord make
us truly thankful.

Amen.

- How's it going, boss?
- G'day, boss.

Mr Telford.

- Boss.
- Hey, boss.

Don't go back up the bush, Tommy.

Some other trainer
will give you a job.

Not when they hear I got the sack.

Yes, they will, Tommy.

They know what old Telford's like.

Enough of that.

Mr Telford's here
to see you, Tommy.

He's out on the porch.

What's going on between
you and young Tommy?

- Nothing, Mum.
- Better not be.

Boss?

What have you done to that horse?

Spoiled him rotten.

Anyone goes near him he rips
their bloody shirt off.

He won't eat, he won't...

Now, get back to the
stables. Get him fed.

Reckon I got my job back.

Gee, he's a rude old cow.

I wouldn't go back.

Better go. Bobby will fret.

Bobby?

Phar Lap.

See you later.

Those beggars who
reckon you can't run

are gonna get a shock
today, old fella?

He's really starting
to fill out, boss.

Hard work, puts muscle on.

Are you gonna watch the race?

I'll listen from down here.

Oh, don't give him more sugar.

He'll die of bloody diabetes
before his first race.

Harry, say hello to Mrs Davis.

- Harry Telford.
- How do you do?

Ok, let's take a look at him.

You said he was as
ugly as a camel.

You should have seen
him a year ago.

So, I understand
his training times

have been better recently, yeah?

When he's ridden hard.
He's still lazy.

Have you put any money on him?

- I don't bet.
- I see.

You're not exactly oozing
confidence, are ya?

I don't think I'll
bet on him either.

- Oh, I'm gonna have a bet on him.
- Yeah?

- What's your name?
- Tom Woodcock, madam.

I'm Phar Lap's strapper.

- Do you think he'll win, Tom?
- I reckon he will.

As they pass the 3-furlong post,

and Exact is the leader,

about a length and a half
in front of Memento.

Then Phar Lap, the newcomer,
the big red horse,

moving up on the outside.

Cabaret Girl on the inside of
him, followed then by Busham

and Rose Flight.

Coming up towards
the home turn, Phar

Lap, rider having great trouble,

and Exact has kicked away,

about four to five lengths
in front of Cabaret Girl,

who's starting to make up ground,
with Memento on the inside.

And Phar Lap looks as if he is
going to hit the outside fence.

As they straighten up for
the run to the judge now

and Exact is four to five
lengths in front of Memento,

and Cabaret Girl moving
up on the outside,

and Phar Lap still racing wide.

With half a furlong
to go it's all Exact,

and Exact is going to win easily

about two lengths in
front of Cabaret Girl.

Memento third, a long distance
then to Busham from Rose Flight,

and Phar Lap ran last.

- Do you like it?
- Here, listen to this.

"The big 2-year-old Phar Lad..."

They can't even get the
horse's name right.

"Enhanced his reputation
for consistency

"by finishing last yet again."

He's a real smart guy,
this Bert Wolfe, huh?

Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart.

Gorgeous.

There's a boy.

Go on, let me get
on with it. Go on.

Alright, up we go.

Tommy.

You can take Phar Lap
out this morning.

I'm taking young Cappy
for a ride on Sally.

And work him hard.

- How's Lightning, Tommy?
- Good.

- Harry given up on him, has he?
- Yeah, he's still in bed.

You better hang onto
him, he might take off.

I wanna try something different
this morning, Cashy.

I'll hold Bobby back then see if I
can get him to go out after you.

- What's the sense of that?
- We'll just try it.

He's gotta learn to be a winner.

After him now.

Don't let him get away.

Yes.

You beauty.

Good on you, mate.

Alright, Cashy, let's
try that again.

Off with your cap.

That's a good fella.

Yeah. Up we go.

Did he like it?

Yeah, he's a regular
little horseman here.

Did Daddy take you
on the big horsey?

- Yeah.
- I bet you're hungry.

Are you hungry?

We'll take your shoes
and socks off.

What's all this?

I thought I told you
to stop all that.

We needed the money.

Well, send 'em back. We can manage
without you being a servant.

- How, Harry?
- We can manage.

Harry, I'm sick to death of
struggling for every penny.

I won't have you taking
in laundry. We'll manage.

How, Phar Lap?

He'll come good. He's got Carbine
on both sides of his bloodline.

Harry, people are laughing at you.

He's hopeless. He's a dud.

That's right, he's
flying, Mr Davis.

Yeah, I always knew
he'd come good.

Just needed a lot of
hard work put into him.

I've knocked that lazy
streak out of him at last.

No, no, you wait till
you see him next time.

The first race I ever rode
was on one of Reg's horses.

"Do you reckon I got a chance?"
I said. "Yeah," he said.

"The five other jockeys have
backed you for a fortune."

Could I have a word with
you in private, Jim?

You can talk in front
of these blokes, Harry.

If they hear it direct they
can't spread any rumours.

I've got a good horse
for you, for the Derby.

- Yeah? Who?
- Phar Lap.

I reckon I'm fixed up
for the Derby, Harry.

But I'll keep it in mind.

Phar Lap, he's gotta be joking.

Harry, the best horses in the

country are entered
into the Derby.

Now, I know you're convinced
the horse has improved,

but, Harry, for Christ's sake,
we're talking about the Derby.

I'll be back in a
second, honey. Sorry.

I'm hoping to get Jim Pike.

Jim Pike?

Now I know you're dreaming.

Why would Jim Pike
wanna ride Phar Lap?

He said he'd keep him in mind.

Come on, he was being polite.

Look, Harry, you wanna
enter him, you enter him.

But you make sure you do it
under your name... not mine.

I'm not gonna be humiliated

in front of all the top owners
in this country, believe me.

I need 30 quid to enter him.

Oh, boy.

You wanna enter him,
you find the money.

That was part of our deal, right?

I tried.

Then I'm in very good
company when I say no?

Harry...

alright, you can have the money.

On two conditions,

one, you don't use my name...

and two, if that horse doesn't
race well this time we sell him.

Race well? He's gotta win.

I owe more than 300 quid
and I can't pay my rent.

Pity Pike's lost his mount.

Masterful horseman,
compulsive gambler, though.

Good luck in the
Derby, Mr McKinnon.

Oh, well, thank you.

We think we'll give you
a run for your money.

You've got a horse in
the Derby, Mrs...?

- Davis. My husband, David.
- How do you do?

Sir Samuel Hordern.

- Sir Samuel.
- Yes, we have, Phar Lap.

I don't believe I've heard of him.

You probably wouldn't. He...
he's just in for the run.

And we think he'll win.

- And where did you get him?
- New Zealand.

For £168, quite a bargain.

Isn't your horse a New Zealander?

Carradale. Yes, he is.

Who in the blazes were they?

Pushy little Jew.
Sells dinnerware.

Door to door.

- Knows nothing about horses.
- He's not a member, is he?

Hard to keep them out these days.

Handsome woman, though.

- Did you have to do that?
- What?

McKinnon practically runs
racing in this country.

Did you have to tell him
what Phar Lap cost?

He paid 10 times that
much for Carradale.

Mrs Davis.

What do you think, Tommy?

There's some good horses out
there today, Mrs Davis.

My husband will tell me I'm a fool
but I'm gonna back him anyway.

Does Mr Telford always
get that nervous?

If Bobby doesn't win
today, he's finished.

Suppose I am too.

I've been looking for you, Harry.

My horse for the Derby's
been scratched.

Flies when he's fit,

but if there's a germ between
here and Perth he'll pick it up.

Would you like me
to ride Phar Lap?

£20?

You bet £20...?

Bea, you're crazy, you know that?

Why? Why did you do that?

I just felt lucky.

Ladies and gentlemen,

there has been a late
change of rider.

Number two, Phar Lap, will
now be ridden by J. Pike.

Go.

They're off in the AJC Derby,

and Carradale was one
of the best to begin

and is being ridden hard to
the lead in the early stages,

while Phar Lap has
missed the start badly,

he's last as they settle down.

£20.

Carradale crossed over the rails

to lead about a length and a
half to Honour and Toper.

They were followed by Cathmar,
Comanche, Lorason, Pentheus,

Nedda, Queen Nassau and Phar Lap.

As they race down to the straight
and the leader is Carradale,

a length and a half
to the good of Toper.

Honour is next, over on the rails.

They were followed further back
by, sir Ribble and Lorason,

then Pentheus and Nedda, Queen

Nassau, and Phar
Lap is still last.

They race towards the back
and Carradale kicked away.

It's Carradale...

Sir Ribble next, on the
outside of Comanche.

And Phar Lap is still on
the tail of the field.

Lorason ahead of him, with
Pentheus, Nedda and Queen Nassau.

But Carradale shows
the way in front.

Go.

Here's Phar Lap going
around them quickly now

about three or four deep.

Go, Bobby.

But here's Phar Lap
coming quickly now.

Comanche's back in midfield.

Carradale in front,
but here's Phar

Lap going up very quickly now.

Go, Bobby. Go.

Carradale and Phar Lap,
they're locked together

head and head as they
race towards the turn.

Carradale on the inside and
Phar Lap on the outside.

And they've moved away about
three lengths further,

followed by Toper and Cathmar.

Phar Lap on the
outside of Carradale.

Pike says, "Go now," and Phar Lap
races to the lead in the Derby.

About two or three lengths
to the good of Cathmar.

But the big red horse, Phar Lap,

he's racing away
with the AJC Derby.

It's Phar Lap's Derby.

But it's Phar Lap's Derby, he's
won the Derby very easily.

You'll find that the winner will
be Phar Lap, ridden by Jim Pike,

second will be Carradale,
and third will be Honour.

After the 1929 AJC Derby...

Come on, boss, you've
gotta get the sash.

I can't, Tommy.

I can't.

Number two, Phar Lap,
J. Pike, the winner.

Second was number
nine, Carradale...

Don't say I didn't
warn you, Mr McKinnon.

- Congratulations, Mrs...
- Davis.

Davis.

Promising horse.

It will be interesting
to see how he performs

when he gets a decent
weight on his back.

- Davis?
- Yes?

Ah... gentlemen.

Is it true you've always thought
the horse wasn't any good?

No.

Who told you that?

- It's a story going around.
- Well, there's no truth to it.

I've had utter faith in this
horse from the very beginning.

Then why did you lease
him to Harry Telford?

Oh, because Mr Telford
found the horse

and I thought it was only fair.

Now, I want to make it clear that

I've had absolute
faith in this horse

from the very first moment
I laid eyes upon him.

I suppose you had a lot
of money on him, then.

- Well...
- We did quite well.

Thank you.

£7,135.

Well, a third of it
has to go to Davis.

Oh, Harry, let's put it
into something safe.

Your brother reckons we
should buy a property.

I can't raise sheep.

You said it yourself
a dozen times,

that training's a rotten life.

Oh, yeah, well, it is.

When you've just got a few
hacks stuck in rented stables.

I'm gonna have my own place now,
love, and run things my way.

And Cappy and I will see even
less of you than we do now.

Well, what do you think
it's like for us, Harry?

You're up at 3:30 every morning

and by the afternoon
you're dead on your feet.

What do you expect
me to do, woman?

Slink back to the bush just
when I finally get my chance?

Sorry, love.

Look... Phar Lap wasn't
a fluke, you know.

I picked him from the bloodlines

and I persevered with him

while every other trainer
was laughing at me.

No one's laughing now.

You've proved your point.

I haven't even begun.

I know more about
bloodlines and training

than any other bastard
in this country.

And by the time I've finished...

they'll all know it.

And the big red, Phar
Lap, has burst away.

But now here comes the big red
down the centre of the track,

Phar Lap, he's starting
to storm home out wide.

Phar Lap races up and
goes to the lead,

and it's another effortless
victory for Phar Lap.

The Wall Street stock market crash

has caused a crisis in
the American economy.

The 3-year-old racehorse Phar Lap
continues his run of good luck.

The best I ever rode.

In fact, I don't think
there ever was his equal.

Certainly not during my time.

Phar Lap is dashing well
clear of the opposition.

He's racing away,
nothing can catch him.

And don't the Victorian
crowd love it?

I've got nothing against
Telford or even Davis.

But let's face it, they're not
going to put any time and effort

back into the sport
like we're doing.

Exactly.

They've just happened on a horse
with very indifferent breeding

and a freakish turn of speed.

And they're entering him in
everything for the money.

Phar Lap, most sensational
Australian galloper of all time.

Record-breaking streak, four
wins and £4,000 in a fortnight.

This has been an amazing
week for Phar Lap.

He's been entered in three major
VRC races and won the lot.

What a horse.

Pike says it's Phar
Lap's phenomenal speed

that makes him so superior
to all other horses.

They just happen to be
killing horse racing.

A lot of my friends are saying

it's not worth putting their
horses against Phar Lap.

And the bookmakers
won't take bets.

Well, the way Telford's over
racing and over training him...

he can't have too many
more wins left in him.

It's Phar Lap. Pike's letting
the champion have his head.

He's racing away. Nothing
can stop the 'Red Terror'.

Kick him along. Come on.

He's surely a horse and a half.

The Red Terror, here
he is in action again,

only cantering this time.

Our cameraman is racing after
him but he's getting away.

After him, Malcolm Campbell,
or you'll lose him.

The sand roll... and how
Phar Lap enjoys it.

"Rolls the wriggles out," he tells

the stable boy, young
Tommy Woodcock.

"Come here, sir, I want my
sugar. I've earned it."

Oh, what a horse.

Back to work, go on.

Come on, get that
contraption out of here.

Harry...

this is Eric Connolly.

- Harry.
- I know.

Harry...

Eric's been kind enough
to offer some suggestions

about managing Phar Lap's career.

I'll bet he has.

Which races the horse is allowed
to win and which ones he's not.

Stake money, Harry.

Peanuts.

Compared with what you could make
with a few well-placed bets.

When I train horses, Connolly,
I train them to win.

Pulling horses is not in my line.

Do you understand
that we could make

an extraordinary
amount of money here?

- I'm doing alright.
- But I'm not.

Well, that's your problem.
Now get outta here.

I've got work to do.

What's wrong with you?

He's being worked too hard, boss.

Are you telling me I
don't know my job?

He's worn out.

Then how come he's still winning?

He'd win if he was half-dead.

If you keep him
racing and training

like this you'll burn him out.

You know your trouble, sonny?

You think horses are human.

Well, I've been around
long enough to know

that if you treat 'em too soft

they'll take advantage
of you every time.

Now, if you want to come with
me and your beloved Bobby

when we go to Melbourne,

you just better button your
lip and do what you're told.

And I'll top-dress
all the paddocks.

We'll have grass greener
than you've ever seen it.

The marshes over there, full
of birds, snipe, everything.

Do you like it?

It could do with a few
more trees over here.

Well, we'll plant them.

As many as you want.
Trees everywhere.

We'll have space all
around us at last.

I still don't understand why we
couldn't find a place near Sydney.

I told you a hundred times,
Melbourne is the racing capital.

The big owners are here. The
big races. The big crowds.

Now, if you're going
to make your mark,

this is the place you have to be.

- I'll just miss my friends.
- Well, we'll make new ones.

Good God, woman,
when this place is

set up it will be like paradise.

You'll have to beat the
visitors off with a stick.

Look, we're going to have
a racetrack over here.

Really make something of
that wreck of a house.

- Can we have a bit of a garden?
- Yeah, roses and everything.

Swings and slides for Cappy.

It's hard to imagine.

As long as we're not
getting in too deep.

I've worked on a
shoestring long enough

to know the only way to make
it in this game is do it big.

Now, you buy your yearlings,
you train 'em hard,

and if they don't shape up you get
rid of 'em and bring in some more.

Sol's no fool.

He wouldn't be lending me
money if there was any risk.

Every champion for
the next 20 years

is going to come
out of this place.

Are you going to go down
to Melbourne with Telford?

I suppose.

He's treated you pretty rotten.

Yeah, he's a cranky old ratbag.

But if I don't go down,
what will happen to Bobby?

Will you write?

Spelling's pretty crook.

Well, you'd better not, then.

I can't stand bad spelling.

- Keep him moving, Tommy.
- Stand back.

Harry... how did the
wonder horse travel?

Oh, I love the way you blokes keep
calling him the "wonder horse".

You weren't calling him that

when he was losing all
his races at the start.

Well, he's really found form now.

Who do you think made
him find the form?

Do you reckon he learned
all by himself?

And you think he'll win
the Melbourne Cup?

Of course he will. And
the Caulfield Cup.

- You've entered him in both?
- Why not? He'll win them.

A lot of owners would think
it was too strenuous for him.

A lot of owners don't know
anything about horses.

We've heard a lot about this
new training establishment

you're starting at
Braeside, is it ready yet?

- Near enough.
- Make way. Stand back.

Stand back, please.

- Looks good?
- Wonderful.

Harry, the bank's just
been on the phone.

They said we're overdrawn, badly.

Well, they're mad. I checked
the figures last night.

Here.

No wonder the country's in a mess.

Bloody banks can't
even do their sums.

Harry, you've counted the
six in the thousands column

instead of the hundreds.

- Oh, God, so I have.
- Let me do the books.

What are we going
to tell the bank?

They'll just have to wait till
Phar Lap wins both the cups.

What do we do till then?

Tell 'em the cheque's in the mail.

Amounis and Phar Lap

are the two best horses
in the country, right?

Now, if they both race in the
Caulfield Cup, no offence, May,

but Phar Lap's gonna come in
first and Amounis second.

And if they both race
in the Melbourne Cup,

the same thing's gonna happen, ok?

Now, Bea, if you were a bookmaker
and I wanted to lay a bet with you

that Phar Lap would win both cups,

what kind of odds
would you give me?

- Very short odds.
- Right.

Now, if I wanted to lay a bet that
Amounis would win the Caulfield

and Phar Lap the Melbourne, then

what kind of odds
would you give me?

Much better odds. Amounis
won't beat Phar Lap.

Exactly.

So we put the money on the
Amounis-Phar Lap double,

now at what, Eric?

20, 30 to 1.

And at the last
minute... we scratch

Phar Lap from the Caulfield

and make a fortune.

Can you do things like that?

Well... Can you get
the money on, Eric?

I'll have bets all
round the country

before they know what's hit 'em.

Of course, we only
have one problem,

convincing Harry to pull Phar
Lap out of the Caulfield.

Give him a share of the winnings.

An honest man is someone who
hasn't had a good enough offer.

You don't know Harry.

Alright, look, I'll go through
the figures with you once again.

Whether you win both cups or not,

you're still gonna be bankrupt
within the next six months.

Here.

Some of those yearlings are
going to be champions.

Well, you won't know that
for at least a year.

Harry, I am offering
you £20,000 cash

to scratch Phar Lap
from the Caulfield Cup.

- No.
- "No."

You're crazy. You're
absolutely crazy.

What the hell is the difference?

He'll still win the Melbourne Cup.

- That's the important one.
- He's going to win them both.

Why? Why?

Because it's what every trainer
worth his salt dreams.

Dreams.

Dream... Vi.

You're good with figures.

Will you please explain to
the man that I'm right?

Will you tell him that he's gonna
be broke within six months?

Harry's been in this game for 20

years and he's never
been dishonest.

We can sell the yearlings
and put off staff.

Harry, scratch the horse
and take the £20,000.

I can't sell the yearlings.

One of them will turn out to
be a champion, nothing surer.

We could start again
in a year, Harry.

Anyway, we don't have
to sell all of them.

Maybe he has been raced too much.

Perhaps he does need a rest.

Can't you blokes ever
leave a man alone?

I've been trying to telephone you,
Harry, but you're always engaged.

I leave the phone off the hook and
you still try to drive me barmy.

Why did you scratch Phar Lap
from the Caulfield Cup, Harry?

He's run-down, needs a rest.

You told me a few days
ago he was at his peak.

Why don't you just clear off?

Harry... someone's put £50,000
on Amounis to win the Caulfield

and Phar Lap to win the Melbourne.

And they've got odds of 30 to 1.

Nothing to do with me.

I'd be a bit worried
if I were you.

Why?

Mrs Telford.

If Amounis wins the Caulfield...

the only way some bookies
can save their necks

is to stop Phar Lap winning
the Melbourne Cup.

No one would hurt a
champion like Phar Lap.

You'd be surprised
what people will do

if they stand to lose a
million pounds, Harry.

Look after yourself.

And your horse.

They're rounding the home turn
and Muratti is the leader

from Lampra, Shadow King,
Second Wind is joining in.

As they straighten up and Amounis

is coming with a
big turn of speed.

Coming to the furlong pole,
Muratti still in front.

Amounis is starting to peg him
back under his big weight.

Amounis has ranged up on the
outside with a half furlong to go.

Soulton coming home well, with
Alcman and Cragford, Second Wind.

But Amounis is going on to score a
great win in the Caulfield Cup.

And Amounis has won
by a half-length

to Soulton, third Alcman.

Hello?

I'm telling you again, take
your horse out of the cup

or it's going to end
up as dog's meat.

Bobby.

Come on, Bobby.

There's a boy.

Yeah, g'day.

Come on, then.

It's all a lot of hot air.

Nobody would dare hurt
you or the horse.

It's alright for you.

I'm the one who's
in the firing line.

Vi's even too scared
to leave the house.

I started getting these letters

as soon as Amounis won
the Caulfield Cup.

Now, they say the big
fella's gonna be poisoned,

run down by a truck, shot
at by a poison dart,

have acid thrown in his eyes.

Well, how would you like that
sort of thing in the mail?

- I'm gonna call the police.
- No.

I don't want you to do that.

There's no reason, Woodcock is
with the horse all the time.

Well, his life's at stake too.

If you don't call
the police, I will.

Harry, if you call the police

they're only gonna
ask why the horse

is getting all these threats.

Do you understand?

Alright, I'll hire a guard,
if it'll make you happy.

I've been over him, boss,
he hasn't been touched.

What happened? Did you just stand
there and let him get shot at?

Fair go, Harry. The
lad put himself

between the horse and the gun.

In my opinion, he
deserves a bloody medal.

Sorry, son.

Come on, Bobby boy.

Harry.

- Is he alright?
- No thanks to you.

What happened to that guard
that you were going to arrange?

We don't have time
to argue now, we

gotta get this horse
somewhere safe.

- Fast, before they try again.
- Is he alright?

You better get him
somewhere safe too.

If they can't shoot the horse,
they might try to shoot you.

Don't worry. I'll take care of
him, you watch out for the horse.

- Have you got some place safe?
- I'll take him...

I don't want to know.

Get him there and keep
him there until cup day.

Now, can you get some guns?

Guns? Alright, good.

Don't be afraid to use them.
You come with me. Let's go.

Like this? I've just come
from the steam bath.

Like that. Let's go.

Will the shooting
make any difference

to the race plans, Mr Davis?

Gentlemen, do Mr Telford or I look

like men who are
easily frightened?

Thank you.

We are a pioneering nation,
forged out of the wilderness

by men who knew the value of
their horses and their dogs.

For an Australian to
shoot at a thoroughbred

is almost unthinkable.

In my books, this is a day
of profound national shame.

Alright. I don't want you
leaving this room for anything.

There'll be a guard outside the
door to get you your food.

Food? You must be joking.

I've got another 4 lb. To lose
and no bloody steam bath.

- Don't eat.
- Hey, I've gotta lay me bets.

No bets.

Mr Raymond?

- Whereabouts are your stables?
- Right through here.

Right.

Try now.

Give a man a go.

Well done, Sergeant.

I had to, got a couple
of quid on Phar Lap.

Davis.

- Yes?
- Where's that horse of yours?

I wish I knew.

If he's not here an hour before
the race he'll be disqualified.

You try that and you'll
have a riot on your hands.

Half this country's
backing him today.

We'll put the race
back 15 minutes.

15 minutes.

Harry... where the hell is he?

What?

They should have been
here an hour ago.

There's a fortune at stake and
you lose the goddamn horse.

Don't blame me.

What do you mean, don't blame you?

The horse was your responsibility.

Come on, find him. Fast.

- Let's go.
- Alright.

The chargers for the
Melbourne Cup of 1930

are now parading in...

If he's here I'll ride him, if
he's not, I won't. Fair enough?

Didn't even get a chance to
back myself in any case.

Here are the starters and riders
in the 1930 Melbourne Cup.

I just sent Telford
out to look for him.

There's really nothing
more I can do, is there?

We can't wait any longer.
We've got rules.

Phar Lap. Phar Lap.
Phar Lap. Phar Lap.

Well, I suggest you get
your committee together

and change the rules.

Where the hell are they?

Keep going.

- About bloody time.
- We broke down, boss.

It won't be long now, Bobby boy.

Can't let you miss this one?

As the horses file
out onto the track,

the mystery still remains,
where is Phar Lap?

- Go round to the Members.
- I can't go in there.

Do as you're bloody well told.

Soulton, followed by
Nadean and Some Quality.

Shadow King, just going down the
track, is a picture of fitness.

And there's Soulton, the great
runner-up in the Caulfield Cup,

ridden by Frank Dempsey.

Carradale, ridden by Harold Jones.

And here comes Phar Lap.

The mighty champion has arrived.

They can't stop us now,
Bobby boy. Show 'em, Pikey.

If anything catches us today,
mate, it'll have to have wings.

Phar Lap is just
moving into place now

and we're ready for the start
of the 1930 Melbourne Cup,

the richest and most
illustrious event

on the Australian racing calendar

and one of the great racing
events of the world.

We're running late.

And they're getting
some sort of a line.

Shadow King standing well.

Phar Lap with the red colours,

the white sleeves, black
armbands, that red cap,

looking a picture of fitness

as they move up for a start
in the 1930 Melbourne Cup.

The starter looks to
be happy with them.

They're coming in very well.

Steady. Steady. Go.

And they're off.

And on the inside, first
out was Second Wind

from Tregilla, who began well.

Temptation is prominent.

And Carradale is up there.

As they come onto the course
proper the first time,

where the leader
here is Temptation,

showing out from Carradale.

They're going forward on the
outside, followed by Second Wind.

And a bit further
back is Shadow King,

and Phar Lap is well
back in the field.

As they come down the straight...

Ha. The wonder horse seems
to have run out of steam.

You can't buy real
quality for 160 guineas.

- No.
- Carradale's going well, Lachlan.

He's going to win me that cup.

And Phar Lap is next, on
the outside of Muratti.

And a fair way back is Shadow
King, on the side of the track.

It's Temptation showing
out by 1.5 lengths.

Now. Off you go, Bobby boy.

That's it.

Some Quality and Phar Lap,

eased off the fence by Jim Pike,
is starting to go forward rapidly.

As they come around the
back of the course,

it's still Temptation out in
the lead, from Carradale,

running a good race, second.

Second Wind on the
inside of Shadow King.

And here comes Phar
Lap down the outside.

You've won it.

Now, don't get carried away.

A little bit of modesty
wouldn't go astray.

Does he really know
why they're cheering?

Know?

It's the only reason he wins.
Vain as a peacock, aren't ya?

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you for being here also.

Guys, could you play
something local

for my very dear and very close
friend, Mr Harry Telford.

Thank you.

(Band plays 'Along the
Road to Gundagai')

Of course, the real danger
when you're riding Phar Lap

is he's so bloody smooth and easy,
you're liable to drop off...

to sleep.

Congratulations, Mr Davis.

Thank you, boys.
Here you are, kid.

Thanks very much, Mr Davis.

A tenner? A tenner for the best
little strapper in Australia?

You lousy bastard.

He's drunk.

The horse only wins
because Tom tells him to.

Yeah, you tell him.

Here you go, Tommy.

Here, buy yourself a lemonade.

Jimmy, you can't
give me that much.

I just have. I just have.

Excuse me.

Hey, Davis. Don't be stingy, let
the moths out of your purse.

Yeah, come on.

Throws money around like
a bloke with no arms.

Take it all, kid.

Thanks.

Anyway, so there I am
having a little snooze.

Suddenly I wake up and we're
halfway down the straight

and all these horses out in front.

And I thought, "Crikey, I
might have to use the whip."

- Mrs Davis.
- Oh, please, sit down.

How does it feel to
be a wealthy man?

I reckon I should give some back.

Back? I came over to
give you some more.

Oh, Mrs Davis, no...

Dave won a fortune today.

Thanks.

What are you gonna do with it?

God, I don't know.

Isn't there a girl in
Sydney you're fond of?

Emma?

I've only taken her
out once or twice.

Do you write to her?

I've sent her a postcard or two.

Is she pretty?

Too right. I reckon if she was in
America, she could be in films.

Oh, as pretty as that.

Yeah. You ask Cashy.

And all those stars
have got make-up

and everything to help 'em.

She looks just as good
as they do without it.

Have you told her that?

Wouldn't be game.

Why not?

You'd make a real
dill of yourself.

Sometimes I wonder
how Australian men

ever manage to find
themselves wives.

Go up to Sydney and
see her, Tommy.

I want you to know that
whatever differences

you and I have had personally
through the years,

I have never, ever doubted
your ability as a trainer.

And when your lease
on Phar Lap is up,

I still want you to
stay on and train him.

You're not gonna offer me a share?

Sure. You'll get your training
fees plus 10% of his winnings.

But I found that horse.
I made him a champion.

And you've also had
him for 3 years

and won yourself a Melbourne Cup.

You give me 50% of him or
find some other trainer.

Don't threaten me, Telford.

There are plenty of other
good trainers around.

Well, you find one who'll make
him win as often as I do.

Stubborn bastard.

- Who?
- Harry.

He wants a half-share on the
horse. Can you believe it?

As if it was his right.

He's done very well
with the horse, Dave.

So? You think he's
entitled to a half-share?

Well, people will
think you're being

pretty unfair if you don't offer.

What the hell do I care
what people think?

Where were all these people
when I was 11 years old

and walked halfway across Europe?

Nobody lifted a goddamn
finger to help me.

Would it be wise to
change trainers?

Harry's had a lot of success.

Alright, I'll offer him half share

but he's gonna pay me
good money for it,

whether he likes it or not.

Boss?

Yeah?

That ointment you're using,
it's making his heel worse.

I know what I'm doing.

Is he getting any better?

Worse.

Well, what does this mean in
terms of the horse's future?

Mightn't have a future.

Wait a minute. Harry.

A cracked heel can't stop
a horse from racing.

Can it?

I'm afraid so, Dave.

Happens all the time.

A man would be a
fool to pay £20,000

for a share in the big fella now.

Don't you think £20,000 is a bit
too much to ask Harry to pay?

He didn't pay £20,000,
he paid £4,000.

What?

To tell you the truth, I
was lucky to get that.

The horse is lame.

Could be washed up, finished.

Oh, Dave.

Phar Lap, Phar Lap.

No future, huh?

Nothing can stop him.

Weight could stop him.

Weight could stop a train.

No Phar Lap. Phar
Lap punts are off.

And now we see this ridiculous
sight of the two horses.

Phar Lap and Chide. Phar Lap
is just so much better.

Chide is flat out,
now let Phar Lap go

and it's little more
than an exercise gallop.

And Phar Lap wins...

No more. You can close the bag.

No more bets, punters. I've
had enough of Phar Lap.

He's getting as much weight as
any other horse has ever got.

He's not any other horse.

He's a freak and should
be weighted accordingly.

The weight's making no
difference to Phar Lap.

He's drawn away for a great win.

He can't carry more
weight, Lachlan.

There'd be a huge outcry.

We're here to further the
interests of racing.

And the mighty champion
has forged to the lead,

and despite his crushing weight,

Phar Lap is racing
on to a gallant win.

That run bloody nearly
killed him today.

- He's alright.
- He's not alright, Harry.

I give you fair warning,

I've never had a horse
drop dead under me yet

and I don't want the first
one to be Phar Lap.

Dave?

Yeah?

Dave, I'd like you
to meet Jim Crofton.

- Jim.
- Dave.

- Quite a horse you got there.
- Yeah, thanks.

He barely won by a whisker today.

It's a wonder he could run at all

with all the weight
they put on him.

If you want my candid opinion,
I think it's criminal.

Jim runs the Water Caliente
Racecourse in Mexico.

Oh, yes. Yeah.

I'll level with you, Dave.

We're organising a really
big race down there.

We want your horse.

We'll pay all your
expenses, of course.

$100,000 stake.

Richest race in history.

He seemed to be
struggling to win today.

Apart from all the weight, he's
got a crook heel and a bad cold.

Oh, Tommy.

His pulse is still racing.

Well, why did Mr Telford enter
him if he's got a cold?

Oh, he enters him for everything
and trains him to death as well.

Why?

He needs the money to
keep Braeside going.

He's pretty obsessed
with Braeside, isn't he?

Oh, he's mad.

He bought another 10
yearlings last week,

and none of them
look any good to me.

Don't worry about it.
I'll talk to Dave.

I shouldn't have said
anything, Mrs Davis.

I can understand how you feel.

You'll be right, Red.
You'll be right.

Did you ever go and see Emma?

No. Heard she was going
around with another bloke.

Oh, Tommy, you can't
give in like that.

Go and see her, and make
your intentions clear.

Go on. Propose.

Yeah. Reckon I might.

G'day, Emma.

Tommy. What are you doing up here?

I got a present for you.

I want you to marry me.

I don't know what to say.

Don't say anything. Put it on
your finger before you lose it.

I thought you were never
gonna get round to it.

Nice big smile.

Ok, mums and dads now, please.

Cashy, Ian, what are
you two doing up here?

The boss sent us up here, Tommy.

The big fella's
fretting and won't eat.

He says you gotta come
back straight away. Now.

But... what about Emma?
What about the honeymoon?

There's no time, mate.
Bobby's real bad.

Come on, we've got a
car across the street.

Wait a minute.

I've gotta tell her.

You pair of bastards.

Congratulations, mate. Good on ya.

Well, that's the end of Phar Lap.

They've given him 10 stone
10 for the Melbourne Cup.

What are they trying
to do, kill him?

If they have to.

Has any horse ever carried that
much weight in a 2-mile race?

Nowhere near it.

I'm a tolerant man,
Jack, as you know,

but finally I'm forced
to the conclusion

that McKinnon and his cronies
are a pack of pricks.

Maybe Mr Davis won't let him run.

Yes, he will.

He wants the gold cup.
Telford got it last year...

and he won't pull him out
because he needs the money.

Even the papers are saying if
he runs, it could finish him.

They're right.

It'll kill him.

Everyone says so.

Telford's getting a stack of mail
begging him to pull Bobby out.

You can bet your life he
won't take a bit of notice.

Keep on at him.

He just won't listen.

Then make him listen, Tommy.

Don't start again. He's
running and that's final.

You'll kill him.

I'll kill him? Bull.

That bloody horse is killing me.

Letters, phone calls, press,
telegrams, cranks abuse me.

Never had a minute's
peace since I got him.

Don't you care what
happens to him?

Nothing's gonna happen to him.

You're the one who's gonna have to
face your conscience if it does.

It's not just up to me.
Davis wants that cup.

He can forget about that.

Boss, you know there's
no way he'll win it.

Oh, you're probably right.

No horse could win over two
miles carrying that weight.

So, if Mr Davis agrees to scratch
him, will you go along with it?

I suppose I'll have to.

It's the only way you'll
give me any peace.

He won't win it, Mr Davis.

I don't understand why
you're so worried.

If there's too much weight on him,

it'll slow him down
and he won't win, ok,

but you're talking as though...

He'll bust a gut trying,
Mr Davis. Really.

I know him.

Kid, come on, you wanna do me
a favour? Cut the violins.

Mr Davis, why do you think
he got up last week,

when he was crook and still won?

Why do you think Jim Pike's
never had to use the whip?

He was in a terrible state
after the race, Dave.

He'd still try and win if
his legs were cut off.

Mr Davis, I know how much
you want to win the cup...

Not just the cup. We have an
obligation to the public.

He can still keep
winning for years

in weight-for-age where they
can't handicap him out of it.

You're putting his
whole future at risk.

Tommy knows the horse
better than anyone.

Alright, alright, alright.
It's alright with me.

But you're still gonna have to get
Harry to agree, and that is...

He already has.

Ah, Davis.

It was good of you to come
at such short notice.

I'll get straight to the point.

There's a strong
rumour going around

that your horse is to be
scratched from the cup.

His name is Phar Lap.

- Is it true?
- Yes.

Would you mind telling me why?

Because you've given him an
impossible weight to carry.

You mean the handicappers?

No, I meant you.

Are you implying,
Mr Davis, that we

try and influence
the handicappers?

Yes.

I won't even bother to
answer that charge.

You realise, of course,
that under our rules,

you can't scratch a horse
without a good reason.

We have it on very good advice

that Phar Lap could be permanently
incapacitated if he runs.

Nonsense. We've been
assured that the

horse is in no danger whatsoever.

Wait a minute. Excuse me.

Let me understand this.

Are you ordering me to run him?

I'm requesting you very strongly.

Oh, I see.

If we find he's been scratched
without good cause,

we can ban you and any horse
you're associated with

from ever racing in
this State again.

Do you mind repeating that?

The race-going public are
expecting your horse to run...

His name is Phar Lap.
Horse's name is Phar Lap.

And I don't see why two owners

with a grudge against the
handicappers and the VRC

should deprive them of that.

I see.

You put a ton on his back so
that he can't possibly win,

but you want him there
to draw the crowds.

Very smart.

I'm acting in the best
interests of racing.

Well... you've finally done it,
haven't you, now, McKinnon?

If we scratch him, he's
barred from racing

and if we run him, there's a very
good chance of his breaking down,

and either way, you and your
cronies win it all, don't you?

I don't think there's any purpose
in prolonging this conversation.

No, there really isn't.

Take it easy today, alright?

Don't go busting your boiler.

He'll be alright, Tom.

If I see he's gone,
I won't push him.

Thanks, Pikey.

And here's Phar Lap, number one,

in line for his second Melbourne
Cup being led out onto the track.

They're off.

And White Nose was one of
the first to jump out,

with Phar Lap beginning well.

St Mary away quickly and
so also is Koomela.

He's prominent but just
in behind is Carry On.

And then Concentrate,
a bit further

back in the field, Madstar.

They're racing down the
straight for the first time,

and White Nose in charge,
leads by a length and a half.

Moving up on the outside, Koomela
is second, then Second Wind,

and Phar Lap running over on the
inside as they pass the judge

and go towards the
side of the track...

Coming down past the '3' now,

and White Nose on the
inside is still in front.

He's been taken by Second Wind,

and here comes the
mighty Phar Lap.

Phar Lap is coming up quickly
now, behind White Nose,

Phar Lap is trying to bridge
the gap with White Nose.

Phar Lap on the outside,
coming up with White Nose.

Second Wind and Shadow
King on the left.

White Nose is holding Phar Lap.

This is incredible, he's
struggling under his big weight.

Phar Lap is starting to weaken,
it's White Nose and Second Wind...

Give it up, boy. It's alright.

Phar Lap is dropping
out of the quick,

and White Nose is going for
the shot with Shadow King.

Phar Lap is dropping
and White Nose

will come down to line before...

Crofton.

Excuse me.

- Does your offer still stand?
- Sure does.

Look, there's not a
horse in the world

could have won over that
distance carrying that weight.

I'm amazed he even finished
without breaking down.

Let's talk, alright?

- Too many risks.
- What risks?

The voyage over, going
into their winter,

dirt tracks, different feeding,
different styles of racing.

Cashy.

If you take him over there,

our quarantine laws are
gonna make it bloody hard

to bring him back home.

Alright, I grant you it's a risk.

But if it pays off, Harry,

we're gonna have
more money than we

ever thought we'd
have in our lives.

Alright. Take him.

Great. We're gonna
have to be ready

to go in about three weeks, ok?

I'm not going.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

What do you mean you're not going?

I got 40 horses to
look after here.

Three of them are coming
up for their first race.

You have to go. Who's
gonna train the horse?

- Tommy.
- Woodcock?

What the hell does he
know about training?

He's a good strapper.
Best I've ever had.

This is not what I'm asking you,

I said, "What does he
know about training?"

You're gonna have to take
him with you anyway,

the bloody horse won't even fart

unless Tommy tells
him it's alright.

Harry, I can't go to the
States without you.

I'm not going. I'm sick
of the sight of him.

Bloody horse has given me
trouble since I got him.

You won't forget to write.

Of course not.

Because I wanna know what
the Americans talk like.

What they eat, how they dress.

What they think about Bobby.

- Yeah.
- You gotta write everything.

I'll try my best.

Oh, I know you'll be busy.

Gee, I'm gonna miss you, Tommy.

Hey, Bobby's on.
Train's ready to go.

Go on, I'm not looking.

All aboard.

Here, come on, Tommy. The
bloody train's going.

- I love you.
- Ta-ta.

Come on.

Suppose I'd better go, boss.

You're the boss now, Tom.

One more thing.

Don't be too soft on him.

Good luck, Tommy.

Here's trouble.

Well, Dave. What a surprise.

Alright, don't bullshit me
now, Crofton. What's going on?

Dave, this is our
chairman, Baron Long.

- You're looking good, Dave.
- I'm looking terrible.

I asked you something,
what's going on?

Mr Davis, please
don't get alarmed...

The minute I stepped
onto that wharf,

there was a reporter
there asking me,

how do I feel about Water
Caliente going broke?

It was a very nice welcome back
to my native land. Thank you.

Just calm down, Dave.

Look, we got a little
bit of a cash problem

due to the current
economic situation,

but once our publicity
machine gets rolling,

that horse of yours is gonna
pull us right out of the red.

If I had known you wanted
Phar Lap as publicity bait,

I never would have put
him on that boat.

Do you know the risks I've
taken getting him here?

Mr Davis, don't panic.
The race will be run.

You'll get your $100,000, plus
your expenses, plus your bets

and everyone will end up happy.

Sure, by the time the race is run,

everybody in America is going to
be talking about your horse, Dave.

Welcome, gentlemen. Welcome.

May I introduce you to

the lucky owner of the world's
greatest galloper, Mr Dave Davis.

Thank you again.

I'd like to start things off by
introducing Phar Lap's trainer,

Mr Woodcock.

His strapper, Mr Martin.

His vet, Mr Nielsen.

His jockey, Mr Elliot.

And this beautiful young
lady here is my wife, Bea.

Now, gentlemen, any
questions, please.

Is he really the world's
greatest galloper, Mr Davis?

Well, without taking anything away

from your great
American champions,

yes, I truly believe so.

Have you seen the field
he's up against?

Yes.

Spanish Play, Joe Flores,
Cabezo, Reveille Boy.

Well, fine horses all of them,

but believe me when I
tell you, gentlemen,

they are no threat to Phar Lap.

Gentlemen, I have seen the Red
Terror race with my own eyes,

and I can sum it up in
one word, unbelievable.

Won't he have trouble
acclimatising?

I don't think so. We've brought

everything to make
him feel at home.

We've even brought his food
all the way from Australia.

Can we get a few pictures?

Certainly, gentlemen,
no problem at all.

Tommy, you wanna bring the horse
over here for the gentlemen...

That'll do. It's hot out
here, no good for the horse.

Tom, you wanna bring the
horse over here, please?

Don't forget to show his
hindquarters, gentlemen.

Please, it's very important.

Tom, where the hell are you going?

He came here to race, not
to do this bullshit.

The most powerful
hindquarters in the

world, gentlemen. Get a good shot.

Tom, come back here, goddammit.
This is the National Press.

He should have been
fed an hour ago.

Please, gentlemen. Plenty of
food and drink at the pavilion.

Did you hear that?

Looks like you've got
yourself a good trainer.

What is this Woodcock
guy? The press

can't get near that
animal of yours.

He's guarding him as if he
could eat straw and pass gold.

We really need the
publicity, Dave.

I know.

He even sleeps with the horse.

What, is he some kind of pervert?

Well, can't you
just... fire the guy?

If I did, the goddamned horse

would sit in his stall for
the next month and cry.

- When's he gonna gallop?
- In a week or two.

A week or two?

I'm bringing him
up to peak slowly.

Harry would have been working
his butt off by now, you know?

I'm not Harry.

You're getting too smart for your
own good, you know that, kid?

I want that horse fit.

He will be.

Have you changed his shoes yet,
like the track vet advised you to?

He's been wearing the kind
he's got on all his life.

The track vet doesn't know
what he's talking about.

The track vet doesn't know
what he's talking about, huh?

You were told about the harder
surfaces over here, weren't you?

You were told he could
pick up a stone.

Well?

He'll have to be scratched.

No, he's gotta run.

I got him backed for a fortune.

Well, there's nothing I can do.
Half his hoof is hanging off.

Cut it away, Bill. It'll heal.

- Before the race?
- It'll heal.

Hold it.

Is there any chance?

It's possible.

Then do it.

Now, how are you
gonna get him fit?

Walk him. I'll keep
him moving all day.

You know something?

Harry must have been
out of his mind

when he recommended
you as a trainer.

And I must have been out of
my mind to listen to him.

- Mr Davis.
- What?

Harry Telford used to train
that horse too hard.

If I can get him 90% fit, his
heart'll get him to the line.

The amount of faith you put
in that heart of his, kid,

it must be one hell of an organ.

There are rumours that the horse
is carrying a serious injury.

The horse is fit, totally fit.

Then why hasn't he
been out on the track?

What about all these rumours
that his hoof is cracked?

Gentlemen, Phar Lap has stepped
on a stone and bruised his foot.

- How badly?
- Wait a minute, wait a minute.

We put a mud pack on it
and we do not expect that

it will significantly interfere
with the horse's preparation.

Then when are we likely to see...

Thank you, gentlemen, that's it.

Well, it's healing.

Faster than I expected but not
fast enough for him to run.

He's gotta run.

If he wins here, I've got offers
for him from all over the States.

Bill, what about we try
fitting bar shoes?

To support him across here and
take pressure off the split.

Well, has he worn them before?

- No.
- No, he hasn't.

Well, what do you think?

Well, it's worth a try.

But you won't be able
to give him anything

but light track work
right up to the race.

That's alright.

That alright, huh?

We're going into the
richest race in history

with a horse that's
half fit and lame.

That's wonderful.

Jimmy, what the hell is
happening with Phar Lap?

Baron, there's no problem.

There better not be. The whole of
the US is talking about the horse.

Did you see Walter Winchell's
column yesterday? Fantastic.

We're gonna have our
biggest crowd ever.

What the hell is he doing here?

A lot of money went on to
Reveille Boy yesterday.

Yeah, I bet a lot
more went into the

pockets of certain jockeys too.

Is Phar Lap well guarded?

Oh, yeah. I got Frank and the
boys with him round the clock.

Problem is, by the time Bert
gets his story through,

we're not gonna have time
to get it on the streets.

What are we gonna do, then?

We have two versions ready to go.

If he wins, "Australian wonder
horse beats the world."

And if he loses?

"New Zealand horse
fails in Mexico."

Harry... there's something
wrong with these figures.

There's £2,000 missing somewhere.

Yeah, I had a bet.

On Phar Lap?

No, on one of my colts
on Saturday. He lost.

Harry, you never bet.

I did and he lost.

£2,000?

Harry, if you're going to start
gambling our money away,

I'd like to be told.

We're in worse debt now than we've
ever been, do you realise that?

Phar Lap will win.

What if he doesn't?

He'll win at Caliente.

And he'll win everywhere
else he races.

For years, I've kidded myself
that I made that horse.

Truth is, he would've been a

champion no matter
who trained him.

I've got 20 colts out there with

bloodlines as good
or better than his

and I've trained them
all exactly the same.

Every one's a dud.

He's a freak.

Dave?

Dave, if your horse wins today,

get him out of here quickly and
have him guarded from here on in.

What are you talking about?

It's just that... the
big syndicates here

have racing pretty well organised.

Now, the last thing they want is a
horse coming in from the outside

who wins everything
and can't be bought.

I'll start worrying
about that if he wins.

But first, he's gotta win.

Yeah.

Just... keep him clear
of the pack, that's all.

Oh, there's a rumour going around

that some of the
jockeys have been paid

to keep him boxed in on the rails.

Look, Dave, if something's
good, that's ok.

But if something's too good,
it upsets the whole system.

Be careful?

Ladies and gentlemen,
for your information,

the horses for the 13th
race on the program

are now in the walking ring.

Now, listen to me closely.

I want you to take him out
to the front of the bunch

right from the
start, they're gonna

try to box you in on the rails...

He can't start fast, it'll put
too much strain on the hoof.

I said, he starts fast
and that is an order.

Alright, now don't forget, Billy.

You take him out front,
you take him out fast.

Dave?

Not now, not now,
sir, please. Do me

a favour. I'll talk to you later.

Billy, hold him back at the start.

Take him out wide and go
right around the outside.

Who's giving the orders
round here, you or Davis?

Me. Hold him back
and take him wide.

I'll have to cover a hell
of a lot of extra ground.

Billy, do what you're
told. You'll get there.

What if the hoof goes?

Pull him up straight away.

Ladies and gentlemen, the race
you've all been waiting for,

the Water Caliente Handicap,
is next on the program.

Alright, me old mate.

Get out there and show 'em.

The horses have reached the post.

They're ready to start the
Water Caliente Handicap.

Good And Hot from the
inside, with jockey Morgan,

then Scimitar, Spanish Play,
Reveille Boy is in post four,

Bahamas with jockey John Longden

starting from post
position number five

and the second choice
this afternoon.

Joe Flores is next,
then comes Dr Freeland.

Phar Lap is in post
position number eight

followed by Marine and
Cabezo is on the outside.

We're ready at the start of
the Water Caliente Handicap.

Marshall Cassidy
ready to send this

fine field of gentlemen
on their way

for a distance of 1.25 miles.

Get ready, gentlemen.

And go.

And they're off.

Phar Lap on the outside off
slowly, that's Phar Lap last.

And on the front
end, there goes Joe

Flores, charging up
to take the lead

as Johnny Longden moves Bahamas
on the outside into second spot.

Far back, Phar Lap is the trailer.

Off slowly, pushing Phar Lap.

I'll kill you, Woodcock.

So help me God, I'll kill you.

Joe Flores showing the
way by half a length.

Bahamas is in second spot...

Hold him, Billy.

Cabezo is next, with
Reveille Boy between horses.

Marine follows and after
that it's Dr Freeland,

Scimitar, Spanish Play and
Phar Lap is the trailer.

It looks like the
Australian champion

is not gonna run his race today.

As the field moves to
the clubhouse turn,

Joe Flores on the inside...

Alright, not yet.

On the outside,

Bahamas and Johnny Longden
charging up to challenge early...

Now.

Now Reveille Boy finds room
between horses for it.

Cabezo is next, after that...

Right round 'em, Bob. That's it.

Scimitar, Spanish Play

and Phar Lap on the outside
begins to close round.

There goes Phar Lap
charging up on the outside.

Bahamas on the inside
now takes the lead...

That's my Bobby boy.

Phar Lap on the outside is flying.

There goes Phar Lap.

Phar Lap charging up
quickly on the outside,

Joe Flores is third,
Reveille fourth...

It's Phar Lap taking the lead.

I've never seen a horse move
so fast in two furlongs.

On the inside, it's Joe
Flores and Bahamas.

Second spot, it's Reveille
Boy moving between horses.

It's Phar Lap showing the way
by a length and a quarter...

Whoa, that's the champion.

It appears that he's
faltering, jockey pulling up.

- He's having trouble.
- Watch behind ya.

As Phar Lap is pulling up,

Reveille Boy charges up on the
outside now to take the lead.

On the inside, it's Phar Lap,
on the outside, Reveille Boy...

Now take him home. Take him home.

Reveille Boy on the
outside, two horse race.

Phar Lap on the inside,
Reveille Boy on the outside

and they're coming to the line,
Phar Lap holds the lead...

It's Phar Lap, the winner.

Mr Telford?

Mr Telford, can you have a few
words with me about the tragedy?

Leave me alone.

Well, why is it, do you think,

that there's been this incredible
reaction to Phar Lap's death?

After all, he was just a horse.

He wasn't just a horse.

He was the best.