TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1937, Page 12

TROTTING.

AUSTRALIAN PACERS. FINAL OF CHAMPIONSHIPS. LAWN DERBY SHADE UNLUCKY. Although Lawn Derby ran into fourth place in the grand final of the interDominion trotting championships at Way- | ville on Saturday night, his New South Wales owner, Mr. J. F. Mackenny, still claims that he is the fastest light harness horse in Australia and the only one who looks capable of breaking a two-minute gait, says the Sydney "Sportsman" of February 13. Handled by the veteran Sydney trainer-reinsman Jack O'Shea, Lawn Derby has been the unlucky horse of the championships. He wa ß a hot favourite in the final, but was never nearer the leaders than fourth, and that was on crossing the finishing line. It was 20 yards after the barriers were released before O'Shea could get him to strike his straps. He was then set the tusk of making up the leeway on the front division, who were stepping at a 2.14 pace. Lawn Derby, with his amazing burst of speed, did not find it difficult to make up the ground lost, but half a mile from home O'Shea found himself pocketed in on the fence in a bunched field, and there was no getting out until heads were turned for home. In the short straight Lawn Derby finished brilliantly, established the fastest time in the race and added £150 to his owner's bank account, but failed to gain the title of champion horse. Dan's Son, the most ungainly looking horse racing, won at a 2.14 gait. A few days ago arrangements were being made for Lawn Derby to go to West Australia for the big Easter carnival, but > negotiations have now broken down. It appears that the Western Club was prepared to give Mr. Mackenny £100 for. his expenses to make

the tr'P and threw out a bait of £300 if Lawn Derby could break a two-minute fsait at Gloucester Park. Now it appeal* that if there are no challenges to Lawn Derby's owner's offer to race any horse in Australia at Wayville, this performer, who nnwt be recognised as the champion pacer of Australia, will be returned to Sydney. Subsequently he will be prepared to go to Xew Zealand for the interDominion trotting championships to be run at Easter, 1938, when at last Lawn Derby will have his opportunity of meeting the mighty Indianapolis.