Phar Lap statue may require return of 1930 Police escort
Thursday 24 September 2009, 9:20AM
By Morris Professional PR NZ
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The final journey of the life size bronze statue of the New Zealand born champion, Phar Lap, may need a Police escort just like the champion required as he was shot at on his way to Flemington in November 1930.
Phar Lap Charitable Trust chair Derek Mayne said there is so much interest in the journey of the finished statue from the foundry in Avondale near Auckland, to Timaru in the South Island in early November, ``I am scared it might get hijacked’’.
The statue is to be unveiled on Wednesday 25 November at Phar Lap Raceway near Timaru, close to where the champion was born at Seadown on 4 October 1926.
The VIP unveiling group includes Lance O’Sullivan, New Zealand’s most successful jockey representing Australasian champions, Sir Patrick Hogan representing the New Zealand breeding industry, Hon John Carter, New Zealand’s Minister of Racing, Mr Paul O’Sullivan, Australian Ambassador to New Zealand and the Mayor of Timaru, Janie Annear.
The two days of celebrations in Timaru will include a Phar Lap race day, book launch on the champ’s New Zealand connections, a commemorative dinner and dedication ceremony.
The 3m high x 4m long statue is in the final stages of casting with jockey Jim Pike scheduled to be `poured’ within the next two weeks.