phar lap, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

phar lap n.

[proper name Phar Lap, flash of lightning, Australia’s most famous racehorse, fl. 1930s]

(Aus.)

1. a very slow person.

1972		A. Chipper Aussie Swearers Guide 66: Par Lap. because he was Australia’s favourite fast racehorse [...] Phar lap’s name should be used to chyack any slow mover.
1984		Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 873/2: from 1933.

2. a wild dog, with its hair burnt off, trussed up and cooked in the ashes.

1951

E. Hill Territory 426: They specialized in ‘Phar Laps’, wild dog with the hair burnt off, trussed and cooked in the ashes.

In compounds

phar lap gallop (n.)

(Aus.) a foxtrot.

1943		Baker Popular Dict. Aus. Sl. (2nd edn).
1980		Canberra Times (ACT) 28 Oct. 1/4: Girls dancing the ‘Phar Lap gallop,’ a jazz band and a 1930 Rolls-Royce [...] will accompany Phar Lap.

In phrases

(have) a heart as big as Phar Lap’s (v.)

(Aus.) to be indomitable.

1996

J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers 191: [T]he freak pacer with a gimpy hip and a heart as big as Phar Lap’s and all that speed and brilliance ended up back home in the ‘Land of the Thick Green Soup’ with Audrey Dean.