MOST RELIABLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 138, 14 June 1938, Page 16

MOST RELIABLE.

TIN TOY, BEST EVER.

MR. MCKENZIE'S FIRST

PURCHASE.

SURPRISE FOR JARDEN.

A somewhat amusing story as to the genesis of the interest taken in trotting by that great patron of the sport, Mr. J. R. McKenzie, who is at present in America, is doing the rounds of the Australian sporting Press. It goes this way:

Ben Jarden, one of New Zealand's trotting trainers, and one of Mr. McKenzie's best friends, had often suggested that he should buy a horse, but he declined, as he took no interest in trotting. On a business trip to America Mr. McKenzie was attracted by a mechanical toy trotting horse, and he bought it. He cabled Jarden that he had purchased Tin Toy, the most reliable trotter he had seen in America, and he would like it to go into Jarden's stables. A ship's bill of lading and letters asking Jarden to bestow the utmost care and attention on the American purchase completed the joke. Jarden told his friends and newspaper reporters of this American horse which he was going to, train, and Mr. McKenzie, to make up for the joke, decided to buy a horse. Within twelve months he became the owner of Acron and part-owner of Great Bingen, two of the most successful horses New Zealand has known. Acron easily repaid liis cost of £2">00 in his first year by winning the North Island Derby, South Island Derby and the Champion Stakes. Great Bingen set up a record of stake winnings (£14,000) that has not since been equalled, and has had great success at the stud.

During his present visit to America Mr. McKenzie hopes to obtain a sire capable of begetting him a trotter, as distinct from a pacer, who is capable of winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup.