PHAR OUT

PHAR LAP
(1983)
dir: Simon Wincer

PHAR OUT
Australian MAD #246, April 1984
w & a: Darren Pracy

The movie begins with Phar Lap dead and his story told in flashbacks. He's brought in to New Zealand as his trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughn) and wife Vi (Celia Van DerBurgh) look on.

David Davis (Ron Leibman), the horse's owner, has no faith in him and demands Harry sell him, but Harry convinces him to give Phar Lap, initially called Bobby, a chance for a percentage of the winnings as long as Harry doesn't associate him with the horse. Phar Lap's stable boy Tommy Woodcock (Tom Burlinson) thinks he's being worked to death and gets fired for saying that, but is rehired when it's found he formed a bond with Phar Lap who wasn't eating without him. Phar Lap was originally renamed Far Lap because he went long distances but it had to be changed because seven letters was required to enter races.

Phar Lap loses the first few races but Tommy and his assistant Cashy (Richard Morgan) realizes he likes to come up from behind, which helps him win, bringing in prizes and saving everyone from bankruptcy. He becomes a contender for the Melbourne cup,and Dave Davis attempts to capitalize on Phar Lap's success with gambler Eric Connolly (John Stanton).

Harry is getting threats because Phar Lap's now a valuable commodity, and asks Dave for security, something Dave eventually agrees to. While Tommy Is talking Phar Lap out to practice, they are followed by a car and shot at. Jim (James Steele), the jockey, and the horse, stay in hiding until the day of the race, and almost show up late with all the police escorts.

The N.R.M.A. Isbasically Australia's equivalent to the A.A.A.

Tommy gets married. Phar Lap has seemingly run his course and Dave wants to sell him. Harry tricks Dave into thinking Phar Lap is lame so he can buy him for less money but he ends up winning the next race. Phar Lap is asked to race at Agua Caliente, the biggest race in Mexico, and Tommy and the crew go with them.