Daylight Second

by Kelly Ana Morey

The incredible story, for the first time told in novel form, of Phar Lap, the racehorse that became a champion, and then a legend.

And he's done it folks ... Phar Lap first, daylight second.

In a new novel about the Australian race horse Phar Lap, award -winning writer, Kelly Ana Morey recreates the short life of the gigantic chestnut gelding who became the darling of the Australian race tracks during the Depression years. From Timaru in New Zealand where he was born, to Australia where he rewrote track and race records and finally Mexico where he would run his last race, Daylight Second chronicles the death threats and attempts on Phar Lap's life that were made before the running of two of the three Melbourne Cups he contested, his many triumphs including winning the Melbourne Cup in 1930 and the Agua Caliente Handicap in 1932, and finally his death in America in mysterious circumstances.

Part richly imagined biography, part portrait of two marriages, Daylight Second is also the story of the people who knew the champion race horse as Bobbie; his trainer Harry Telford and beloved strapper Tommy Woodcock, and the two very different women who would become their wives.

This extraordinary novel by one of New Zealand's most audacious writers, brings to life the excitement of the track, the highs and lows of the racing game, and the challenges faced by urban working-class Australians between the wars.

Genres: Historical

352 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Kelly Ana Morey (born 1968) is a novelist and poet from New Zealand.

She grew up in New Guinea & currently lives in Kaipara

extract from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer - I am an unofficial member of the Phar Lap fan club. So I know the story, how it begins, how it ends and a whole lot of the bits in the middle. So the fact that this fictional telling of the life and times a horse and the people that were even just a little part of this legend could keep my interest right to the end says a lot for the storytelling ability of Kelly Ana Morey. Despite knowing how the story ends, there was still a lump in my throat when Big Red breathed his last.

But this is not just a story for the horsey set. The author builds a story of people, particularly of trainer Harry Telford and his wife Vi and strapper Tommy Woodcock and his (to-be) wife Emma. There is also intrigue and male ego in spades as we enter the sometimes shady world of horse racing in the late 1920's. This was the time when the Depression in America was starting to be felt across the ocean in Australia and the social history of the time is built with clarity to give context to the story. Definitely a book worthy of the legend.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel about Phar Lap. I have no real interest in horse racing, no real passion for horses, but I rather like a historical novel and this is one that rollicks along. There is quite a lot of detail about racing and lists of the races that the horse was entered into which slowed me down a bit, until the story overtook me and I raced to the end (Pardon the pun.). There is lots of detail about the family of the people involved in the story, the tales from the boarding house where Tommy the stable boy lives are great, the story of Vi, the trainer's wife is sad and moving. At the end of the day, this is a story about the love for a champion horse by his trainer and all of those who had anything to do with him.

I've always enjoyed books by Kelly Ana Morey, they have an unusual, unclassifiable feel and this one is a bit of a departure, it is obvious that she has enjoyed the stories attached to this horse, there are some great notes at the end of the book which make it obvious that this has been a longstanding project. I think she has pulled it off with aplomb.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immensely satisfying novel, lovingly researched and well-crafted. The excitement around the Melbourne Cup - and the threats to Phar Lap's safety - was particularly well-paced, and I also really enjoyed the boarding house drama that was largely fictionalised. For me this had more texture and spark than most biopic (I know that is a film term but I can't think of the novel equivalent) novels, probably because the author was not afraid to fill in details using her imagination - a vastly underused tool when writing about true events, for good reason: it's tricky. I also enjoyed the voice of the omniscient narrator, which wasn't afraid to judge and roll its eyes every now and then, but was never didactic.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great title for a wonderful story. The commentator who came up with that line had such a good turn of phrase, and so does this author - I had to keep going back and reading parts aloud.
It is VERY HORSEY but that's kind of the point, and that's certainly what I loved about it. That and the sense of time and place - it'll make a(nother) great movie one day.

[Johanna Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually got this for my mother, who is pretty horse-mad ... and she loved it. In her words 'I was actually sad when I finished it' ... that's not a spoiler, because what she meant was that she wanted to keep reading it. She also said that Kelly has gotten all the detail spot on, which is pretty high praise from my mother (who seriously sits in historical films critiquing the horse-riding ability of the lead actors). Read it yourself, and buy with confidence for your pony-inclined friends and family.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daylight Second stands out through the crafty rendering of family scenes that stay with you through their emotional charge and the carefully chiselled details.

I haven't finished reading the book, but I loved the bits that I have read. Daylight Second is a great opportunity to learn about life in New Zealand and Australia in the first half of the twentieth century, as historical details are woven seamlessly into the narrative. A lovely present for any age. I have already got a copy for a friend.

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and interesting, brought to life Phar Lap's story and the story of those involved in his life. Set in New Zealand and Australia of the 1930s as the depression was impacting lives around the world and the racing industry tightened its belt. This is a novel with a lot of historical validity, I found it quite a page turner. I'm now convinced that Phar Lap's death was an terrible medical event rather than a criminal action. Well worth the read.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just happened to pick up this book in the New Zealand library where I live. What a pleasant surprise— not only was it very well written—but had likable characters and was very interesting about Phar Lap's story. I live very close to the Phar Lap statue and monument and the racing stable that is named after 'Phar Lap'. What an amazing story and horse. So sad that the true cause of his death was never discovered and that he didn't live very long. Great read and I am picky!!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the story was very familiar, this 2016 novel of Phar Lap was exceptionally involving. Phar Lap, or “Bobbie” as he was known, is obviously the hero but the story of the Telfords and the Woodcocks adds the human drama, as do the incidental details of the tough lives endured by most at the time. Jim Pike and Tommy Woodcock and his wife Emma are contrasted with rich owner Davis and taciturn Telford. The tragedy post-Agua Caliente is briefly rendered and offers no wild theories. A great racing (and human) tale

[Rob Tuwhare · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read, not into horse racing but loved reading this book about the famous horse I know so little about.
Interesting era and started the book while in the Catlins. Also I have lived in Sydney and Melbourne so was all the more relevant for me.

Great read Kelly grab the movie rights someone

[Chris Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good telling of a piece of New Zealand history.

[HC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally absorbing. What a great story.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this. it was an easy engrossing read

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite knowing the story backwards, this book was a fantastic chance to relive it all. Bringing a number of fringe characters to life was a clever idea and helped propel the story along into areas I didn't expect. Highly recommended!