Peter Lynn causes sensational smash

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 31

Peter Lynn causes sensational smash

Special correspondent

Dunedin Peter Lynn is out of the Anngow Motors Four-Year-Old Championship after his disqualification from first placing in the opening heat at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting at Forbury Park on Saturday evening. He caused one of the worst smashes seen on the course, with six of the 13 contestants eliminated and most of the others checked. Fortunately no drivers or horses were seriously injured.

Unbeaten in three other starts, Peter Lynn received the additional penalty of being required to give two satisfactory trials before he races again. Robert Cameron, his trainer-driver, ruled

out attempting to achieve the requirement before the $27,500 final next Saturday. Peter Lynn was disqualified on the grounds of interference to Dainty Smooth and Black Print. He shied and propped when in front after 1000 metres, checking Dainty Smooth, which was outside the trailing horse, Black Print. Dainty Smooth veered into Black Print, which fell. Guily Girl, Shapiro, Matai Chip, Lord Raja and Loch Rannoch either lost their drivers or were brought down as they piled into the fallen Black Print.

Peter Lynn retained his leading position and stayed on gamely to hold a length advantage over Ebony Mist, which was

subsequently promoted to first.

Ebony Mist was left trailing Peter Lynn after the smash. Ankorman, which settled in third slot, held that placing in a gap of three and a half lengths. He was promoted to second with Dainty Smooth advancing to third.

Dainty Smooth was in the open all the way, apart from the bad check she received. She raced in spreaders, contrary to an earlier report. Noble Fella, which lost some 50m in the smash, was next to finish. Cameron was said that he believed Peter Lynn had shied at the clerk of the course, who was walking his horse along the back fence towards the

field at the time of the smash.

Cameron had given Peter Lynn a strong preliminary next to the inside rail without incident. Peter Lynn was racing under lights for the first time, but Cameron did not feel this was a factor.

Ebony Mist will not race on the second night of the meeting on Wednesday. Dainty Smooth, the favourite on Saturday, remained in Dunedin. She took skin off the inside of the knee and fetlock of her off fore-leg. Trainer, John Boyd, was most concerned about the knock she received, as she cracked the pastern of the same leg last season and was turned out for seven months.