Phar Lap's skeleton may be reunited with its heart and hide to mark the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup - and the 80th anniversary of his celebrated triumph in Australia's greatest horse race.
The Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa - is considering a request from Victorian racing minister Rob Hulls, who wants the skeleton to be moved from Wellington to the Melbourne Museum for the Spring Carnival in November.
Hulls has lodged a similar with the National Museum of Australia in Canberra - the resting place of the New Zealand-born gelding's heart.
Te Papa spokeswoman Jane Keig said the museum welcomed the concept of Phar Lap's temporary "reunification"' but any move would have to be approved by the museum's conservators.
"It would be fantastic to be a part of this but it's dependent on our conservators making a full report on the skeleton to see if it's fit for travel," she said.
"Obviously we wouldn't be pulling it apart - it would have to travel as it is at the moment."
The assessment process would start tomorrow.
The remains of Phar Lap, who died in mysterious circumstances in California 78 years ago today, are divided between its birthplace - New Zealand - and Australia, the scene of his greatest equine feats.
Phar Lap's bones were articulated - wired together - following its autopsy after his American-born co-owner David Davis decided it was appropriate to send the horse's remains "home".
While transporting Phar Lap's skeleton could prove a gamble, the condition of the heart seems to make the reunification a logistical long-shot.
Four years ago the Wellington Racing Club sought permission from Canberra to borrow the heart for its centenary celebrations -- the Australians declined citing the fragile condition of the organ.
"I imagine in this case they'd also decline because of the vulnerability of Phar Lap's heart," Ms Keig said.
Mr Hulls said bringing together the three aspects of the champion chestnut would be timely.
"It would be a perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the mighty Phar Lap," he said.
"You could bet your life it is the sort of thing that Tommy Woodcock (strapper) and Jimmy Pike (jockey) would want.
"Phar Lap is still synonymous with the Melbourne Cup and this would introduce his legend to a new generation of racing enthusiasts."
However, the plan has split Australian racing identities.
Bart Cummings, a 12-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, told the Herald Sun newspaper: "Leave it where it is, he's a Kiwi.
"They've built a statue of Phar Lap at Timaru, where he was born. That's more appropriate, I think."
But champion jockey Damien Oliver favoured the idea of all three exhibits being on display together.
"Phar Lap is our greatest horse. I'd love to take my children and show them," Oliver said.
"It's important that the story of Phar Lap is embraced by today's kids just as it was when I was a kid."
NZPA