Did Phar Laps Melbourne Cup trophy runneth over?
THE 1930 Melbourne Cup trophy won by Phar Lap, has possibly been located after a three-year investigation. Even more startling than the news of the Cup’s possible discovery, is the claim that the trophy won by Beldale Ball in 1980, Wodalla in 1953 and Phar Lap in 1930 is one and the same. The claims have been made by racing historian Dr Andrew Lemon in his new book, The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing Volume III, which was launched yesterday. Lemon’s investigations into the trophy, stemmed from a claim by a NSW car dealer three years ago that he possessed Phar Lap’s Cup, which was later proved to be a forgery. According to Lemon, there is no doubt that the 1953 trophy was recycled for use in 1980. The 1953 Cup was offered for sale to the Victoria Racing Club by a jeweller and was purchased in the 1970s, with Rodney Johnson, later the club’s chief executive handling the purchase. “We know that the 1953 and 1980 cup are the same because Rodney handled its sale personally and Lu
