The
life-size bronze statue of Phar Lap is mounted and ready for its public unveiling.
The statue, showing the thoroughbred at full gallop with regular Jockey Jim Pike in the saddle, is being kept under wraps until 3.30pm tomorrow.
The work, by Auckland-based sculptor Joanne Sullivan-Gessler, was put in position at the northern entrance to Timaru, beside Phar Lap Raceway, at the weekend.
The statue made the trip south by ship, in an open-top container. It arrived at Lyttelton and was trucked south for the remainder of the journey.
Two days of celebrations in Timaru are planned, including a Phar Lap race day on Thursday, the launch of a book on the champion's New Zealand connections, a commemorative dinner and a dedication ceremony.
Phar Lap was born at Seadown, in South Canterbury, on October 4, 1926.
Those attending the celebrations include Lance O'Sullivan, New Zealand's most successful jockey, Sir Patrick Hogan, representing the New Zealand breeding industry, and the Australian Ambassador to New Zealand, Paul O'Sullivan.
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