In history's page, advance Australia's mare

02nov05

NOTED racing historian Bill Whittaker yesterday declared Makybe Diva was the greatest staying mare he had seen but not in the same league as Phar Lap.

Sydney-based Whittaker has been keeping racing statistics for more than 50 years and said Makybe Diva's three successive Cup wins were truly extraordinary.

"I did not think I would live to see the day a horse would win three Melbourne Cups, but Phar Lap's Melbourne Cup win was better than hers," Whittaker said.







"In the days Phar Lap won there was a three pounds allowance for geldings and the weight-for-age scale was slightly different.

"Phar Lap won with 9st 12lb (62.5kg) and that came after he had won the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on the Saturday. He then won the Linlithgow Stakes (1600m) on the Thursday and the C.B. Fisher Plate (2400m) on the following Saturday.

"Four races in one week. No horse will ever do that again."

Whittaker said the way Makybe Diva had been handicapped flattered her performance but he did not want to detract from her effort.

"The way they are handicapping horses now I would not be surprised if it happened again in the next 30 years," he said. "For a horse, any horse, to carry 58kg after winning two Melbourne Cups, a Sydney Cup, a Cox Plate, a BMW Stakes and an Australian Cup in record time is certainly generous if not lenient.

"I also thought it was unfair the way they watered the track for her."

Phar Lap has long been regarded as the greatest horse to race in Australia but people who lived in that era always regarded 1890 Cup winner Carbine with awe.

Carbine still holds the Cup weight-carrying record of 10st 5lb (66kg) but Whittaker said Phar Lap's 1930 win was better when viewed in context.