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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware this website contains images, voices and names of people who have died.

Phar Lap wins Melbourne Cup (silent)

Extract from Melbourne Cup, 1930 (1930)

Extended coverage of the 1930 Melbourne Cup won by Phar Lap, filmed from a point situated on the finishing line.

Phar Lap is a legend in the history of Australian horse racing. In 1930 he won the Melbourne Cup, ridden by jockey Ken Pike. During the difficult years of the Great Depression Phar Lap’s sensational rise captured the public’s imagination. Having won every major race in Australia his owners took him to America where he mysteriously died in 1932.

NFSA: 1066155 Documentary courtesy National Film and Sound Archive

Activities

1. What does this short film clip show? Summarise what you see.
 

2. Does the film appear to have a main purpose or message? If so, what do you think it is?
 

3. Who made the film clip and when was it made? Use this information to try to work out why the film was made. Does this change what you think about the purpose of the film?

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