<DIV>The four days preceding the infamous 1930 Melbourne Cup are retold in this thrilling account. When Phar Lap, a celebrated racehorse, generated unprecedented excitement among the public, bookmakers were filled with dread?a victory for the favorite would cost them enormously. In an incident ripped from a gangster movie, a gunman tried to shoot Phar Lap on a quiet suburban street. With his life in danger and those closest to him terrified, the champion was spirited away to a secret location while one of the city's most celebrated detectives searched for the culprits. Even an hour before the jump, Phar Lap's whereabouts remained a mystery, and when he finally arrived at the track, the huge crowd cheered him on. Research from horseracing experts and through interviews with eyewitnesses make up this chronicle of the tremendous race in this gripping sports history.<BR></DIV>