They Shot Phar Lap, Didn't They? by Geoff Armstrong

Author:Geoff Armstrong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2016-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

SAM SULLIVAN WAS BROPHY’S expert when it came to the history of Melbourne Cup plunges, so when the two got together around five o’clock, the bookmaker soon found himself retelling stories of successful and foiled betting stings from days gone by. Top of his list was 1877, when Mr Herbert Power’s little grey colt Savanaka overcame enormous difficulties to almost pull off a coup that had been 12 months in the making. As a two-year-old, Savanaka had just two starts, both over six furlongs, for one win and was then taken back to St Albans Stud, where his trainer James Wilson kept him out of view until after the Melbourne Cup weights for 1877 were released. The result was that he was given the featherweight of 6.2, which precipitated a plunge worth more than £40,000 if it came true.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, a colt by the name of Chester, trained by Etienne de Mestre and owned by the breeder, pastoralist and parliamentarian, the Hon. James White, was also being heavily backed, to the point that in straight-out Cup betting and in markets on the Victoria Derby–Melbourne Cup double he was supported to win £80,000. De Mestre was something of a genius when it came to the Cup, most famous for being the trainer of the immortal Archer and also Tim Whiffler, first home in 1867. The most highly publicised single bet on behalf of Mr White in 1877 was one of £10,000 to £400 about the ‘two Chesters’ double with Melbourne’s top bookie, the self-titled ‘King of the Ring’ Joe Thompson. This was a bet recorded with much flair on the cuff of the bookmaker’s shirtsleeve and that looked a very nice wager indeed for the politician when Chester prevailed on Derby Day. Adding to Thompson’s worries, one of Mr White’s friends had backed Chester straight out in the Cup with him to win another £10,000. However, with the money for Savanaka still coming after he ran a fantastic two-mile trial, Mr Power’s colt was 4–1 favourite when the Cup field of 1877 jumped, with Mr White’s charge at fives.

The racing public was disgusted by the deceptive manner in which the St Albans people had implemented their scheme and were keen to see the favourite go under, and it seemed a number of jockeys shared that view. An unknown lad whose name according to the Age was ‘Everard’ and according to the Argus was ‘Jerrard’ was riding a 100–1 outsider called Waxy, and he appeared particularly keen to keep Savanaka wide. But at the six furlongs, the jockey was so focused on stopping Mr Power’s fancy that he didn’t see the tearaway leader Fisherman dropping back on top of the field, and Waxy tripped and fell, a calamity that cost the impeded Savanaka a further 20 lengths. At the furlong, Chester kicked well clear and the White camp’s bets seemed home, but suddenly a late challenger emerged from the ruck, coming quickly with a powerful burst. It was Savanaka, which dived at the line but missed by half a head, the biggest certainty beaten in Cup history.

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