Summary
This doubles chart was issued by an unknown bookmaker (possibly George Lyons) to his regular clients to promote the various odds offered on different pairs of horses to win both the 1930 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. The chart shows Phar Lap running in both races, although he was controversially scratched from the Caulfield Cup just before the race began.
Mr. Michael Eskander, the leading rails bookmaker, advises that:
1) The G.L. may refer to George Lyons, a former bookmaker
2) The line at the bottom, 'Special - Amounis and Phar Lap 20 to 1', indicates that the bookmakers were holding too much money on this combination and were trying to dodge further bets at 25/1.
3) That similar sheets using similar language are sent to clients/punters to this day.
Physical Description
A large sheet of off-white paper. presented in a landscape format, printed on both sides with criss-crossing line and extensive black text, surrounded by a black decorative border. There are several folds present in the paper.
Significance
This Doubles Chart ia an important artefact relating to two of the key chapters in Phar Lap's short life. It has close relevance to the last-minute scratching of Phar Lap by Telford in the Caulfield Cup, which elicited howls of condemnation from the public. It also relates to the attempt to shoot Phar Lap, given that it suggests that bookmakers were holding a fortune on Amounis-Phar Lap to win the double.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr Charles Hardstaff, 19 Dec 2002
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Inscriptions
Printed on front: 23/9/30/ Subject to Market Alteration/ State Doubles Special Quotation/ NO REPLY, NO BUSINESS/ G.L/ One Horse in both Races Special Quotation/ Amount in Square to One/ Commissions Executed on Government/ Licensed Racecourses only./ CAULFIELD CUP/ Run Saturday, Oct. 18. One mile and a half./ MELBOURNE CUP/Run Tuesday, Nov. 4. Two miles.
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
26 cm (Length), 20.5 cm (Width)
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Exhibition Collection Management
256 mm (Length), 203 mm (Width)
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Keywords
Betting, Caulfield Cup, Gambling, Gaming Activities, Horse Racing, Horses, Melbourne Cup Racing Carnival, Racing Industry, Sport, Making History - Phar Lap