BEST SINCE DONALDSON

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19451, 28 March 1933, Page 10

BEST SINCE DONALDSON

SPRINTER TO CHALLENGE THE WORLD. Austin Robertson followed up his win in the 75yds race—the first of a series of three events decided at Maribyrnong (Victoria) for the world’s sprint championship—by scoring in the 130yds and 220yds events. There could be no possible doubt as to Robertson’s superiority in the series just concluded. The manner in which he won the 75 yards, 220 yards and 130 yards indicates clearly that he is in a class by himself. He made the cleanest possible sweep of the series. Nobody ever looked like challenging him, and one of the first to acknowledge that fact was Tim Banner, who won the 1932 world’s championship series, and finished second to Robertson on aggregate points on the latest occasion. Robertson won the first race of the series—the 75 yards—from Tom Miles (Q.) and Tim Banner (N.S.W.), in 7 -11-16 sec, on a slow track, and against a head wind. The field for this race was the same as for each of the others —Robertson, Banner, Miles, Fred Ralph (S.A.), and F. A. O’Neal (Vic.) Conditions did not favour Robertson in the 220 yards test (says the “Sydney Referee”). The track was by no means good, being narrow, and loose and heavy on the surface. Had Robertson drawn the outside position he would have been in difficulties, for he is a big, powerful chap, and requires plenty of room. As it was, even the inside position cramped him, but he certainly showed that he could make the best of things. Favoured by the early turn of the “staggered” lanes, Banner was prominent until within 70 yards from home. Robertson and Miles were together, Ralph next, and O’Neal last. Then Robertson commenced his run. Rapidly he gathered up Banner. With 40 yards to go they were level. Thereafter Robertson went right away in one paralysing burst, and won, easing, by two yards. Fred O’Neal, who finished particularly well, was a yard further back. Ralph was fourth and Miles last. The time —22 5-16 sec—was fast, all things considered. On his running that night Robertson would have been well inside 22sec had the race been run on a good track.

The 130 yards test was won even more decisively by Robertson. Starter Pemberton had no trouble. The field rose as one man at the pistol, but had not travelled 20 yards before Robertson had broken the line. At 50 yards he was clear of Banner and Miles, who were just about level. At 80 yards he was a good two yards out in front. The official verdict was three yards, with Miles half a yard behind Banner; but Robertson’s advantage seemed to be much more than that. Appropriately enough, the time—lz 3-16 sec—was the fastest at which Robertson has ever travelled over 130 yards. When it is stated that he did this on a track which was very rough in places, the merit of the performance requires no further comment. Great Speed From the Holes. The most striking features of Robertson’s running right through the championship series were his speed from the holes and the amazing manner in which he gathered speed over the last part of the journey. In the direction last mentioned he reminds one strongly of that great American sprinter of prewar days, Charles Holway, but Robertson is a yard and a half to two yards faster than the American. Robertson is 24 years of age, is sft llin in height, and weighs 12 stone. When he broke the world's record for 140 yards at Wangaratta recently, his stride was measured, and found to reach the amazing length of 9ft lin. Jack Donaldson is credited with having run 130 yards in 12sec “dead” at Sydney, which, of course, is 10 “inside,” and a world's record that may never be broken—or even equalled. Yet Robertson, when he won the 130 yards, was timed to run 12 2-16 sec, which is equal to eight and a quarter yards, and, apart from Donaldson’s phenomenal run, is the fastest speed at which 130 yards has ever been covered. Equal to Donaldson. Has a greater runner than Jack Donaldson, the world-famous Australian sprinter, who gained the sobriquet of “The Blue Streak,” been developed in Victoria? A study of the performances of the former Victorian public schools’ champion, Austin Robertson, in the last week prompts this question. It is difficult to answer “yes” or “no,” unless judgment is formed after comparison of the times of the two runners. But one thing quite safe to say is that if Austin Robertson is not faster than was Donaldson, he is at least as fast, and that in the last 20 years there has arisen no athlete worthier of bearing the title of world’s champion.

It is said that Robertson has set his mind on a world tour. He can secure backing up to £SOOO, and will defend his title against all-comers in any country. It has been stated that Eddie Tolan (U.S.A.), the Olympic sprint champion, has turned professional through engaging in the film business. Robertson would like to meet him. He is prepared to go to America or to meet the negro in Australia. Within the next weeks some important developments are expected.