Phar Lap's little-known pre-cup trip to the country

Before his triumphant Melbourne Cup win, champion racehorse Phar Lap enjoyed a brief stay in Albury, a border town in Australia. In October 1930, Phar Lap and his strapper Tommy Woodcock were in town, preparing to change trains and travel to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival. The horse, nicknamed Big Red, traveled by rail from Sydney to Melbourne, transferring at Albury due to differing rail gauges.

Upon arrival, both humans and horses disembarked the train and crossed a platform to board another train. This routine continued for over a century until the standard-gauge connection to Melbourne was completed in 1962. Phar Lap and Tommy Woodcock lodged at the Sodens Hotel, a well-known pub among racing circles. Tommy slept in a bed above the horses, surrounded by hay and straw.

Despite being the most famous horse in Australia, Phar Lap went unnoticed by the public; no one asked him about his name. The extended stay ensured Phar Lap was withdrawn from the Caulfield Cup, allowing Amounis to win and secure better odds. In Albury, Phar Lap remainedders were made numerous; at least eight other Melbourne Cup-winning horses stopped by the same hotel, including Prince Foote, Piastri, Windbag, Statesman, Peter Pan in, Hiraji, Foxzami, and Delta.

Today, the Sodens Hotel preserves its racing heritage; the old stables have been converted into a bar adorned with photographs and memories of the eventful nights. Racing legend Tom Hinchliffe, who stayed at Sodens as a youngster, recounted how Woodcock imparted valuable horse-related skills to him. After Woodcock's passing, Hinchliffe nursed him during his final years on a family farm in Yarrawonga, Victoria, where Woodcock shared cherished memories of Phar Lap, including the horse's winning streak and his fearless approach to the Melbourne Cup.

Phar Lap's legacy as a champion racehorse is undeniable, as he not only won 19 of 21 races but also captivated the nation before his untimely death from arsenic poisoning.