TROTTING CRACKS

Southland Times, Issue 23306, 16 September 1937, Page 10

TROTTING CRACKS

AUSTRALIAN PACERS MEET

Great interest was being shown in Australia in the Harold Park Handicap, which was to have been run last week, for in a field of eight the; two cracks, Lawn Derby and Wirra Walla, were to have met over a mile and a half, the former being handicapped on 84 yards, and Wirra Walla on 72 yards. A Sydney writer had the following:— “What should be one of the greatest tests of speed between two pacers will be witnessed at Harold Park when, m a small field, Wirra Walla and Lawn Derby will clash in the mile and a half handicap. They have met before, but never have they been so evenly handicapped. Since Walla Wallas retirement, Lawn Derby has been looked on as the best pacer of Australia, and he is entitled to that distinction, as he is still called on to give his rival 12 yards start. No other pacer in Australia has performed as Lawn Derby has in such a short space of time. He is a real unhoppled champion. Foaled in 1930, Lawn Derby has proved himseit both with and without hopples. Hl3 performance at the previous Easter Show, when he broke the mile record, reducing it from 2.6 to 2.3 1-5, shows his ability. “Lately Lawn Derby has not been getting in the money because he has been faced with an impossible task in his races. Now it looks a match race between himself and Wirra, Walla. The latter is the greatest of the Walla Walla progeny. A fine stamp of horse, he is racing better now than ever before, and has been successful in winning the principal distance event at the last three trotting meetings. He met Lawn Derby only a fortnight ago when he was successful, but is tackling Mr Mackenney’s champion on different terms this time. Wirra Walla has improved with every outing, and there s no telling what heights he will attain. If he can again beat Lawn Derby then he takes on the mantle of his famous sire as Australia’s best pacer. On both horses’ form to date it looks as -t Lawn Derby will come out on top, but the race is going to be a thriller. It will probably be the last occasion these two will be seen in action for some time. It is definitely stated that it will ae Wirra, Walla’s last outing before he serves a season at the stud, while Lawn Derby will shortly leave for New Zealand.”

HIGHBORN WINS AT ROSEBERY MR JAMIESON’S HORSES TRIED OUT (Received September 15, 10.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 15. Having his first race for some time, Highborn won the Botany Handicap at the Rosebery races today from Volwood and Billy Boy. There were 10 starters. Maestro ran third to Confab . and Amberdale in the Rosebery Handicap. Mr J. T. Jamieson’s horses, Lynch Law, Country Party, Birthday Boy and Pharoah, were raced in pairs at Rosebery between races. .Lynch Law was a trifle disappointing, covering five furlongs in 1.3 Pharoah and Birthday Boy covered six furlongs in 1.15*. Both went better.