It seems the 1952 Inter Dominion Grand Final winner Avian Derby wouldn’t have a bar of sashes and rose garlands being placed around his neck.
It was driver Dave “Darkie” Wilson who had to wear the adornments of victory as he took the little stallion on his lap of honour following a brilliant win.
From all reports the aged stallion received a huge reception from a ‘trots mad” crowd at Harold Park Paceway. No surprise when you consider that 38,090 people crammed into the historic Glebe venue for the final night.
Total attendance for the four night carnival was a whopping 116,477 testimony to the popularity of the sport in the 1950’s.
Dave Wilson “fluked” the drive on the brilliant pacer when trainer and regular driver Syl Bray was suspended before the carnival began. Handicapped off 24 yds for the series, Avian Derby easily won his first two heats before coming down with a nasty colic attack.
Stewards had to give special dispensation for the stallion to miss the third round of heats, but he still had sufficient points to make the grand final.
Those who took the short odds about Avian Derby in the final had some anxious moments. The 15 hand pacing powerhouse was trapped on the fence in 7th spot at the bell, and locked wheels for some distance with Floodlight turning into the back straight.
Minor Derby galloped near the 2 furlongs pole which did Avian Derby a big favour. A severe scrimmage broke the field up, enabling Dave Wilson to get off the fence and gain a lucky split between horses. Avian Derby was poised to challenge at the top of the straight, before exploding away to beat a top class field with ease.
The dominance of the win prompted the NSWTC to invite Avian Derby to go against the clock a couple of weeks later. The son of Lawn Derby, aided by two galloping prompters stopped the clock at exactly 2.00 minutes for the mile. He became the first horse in the southern hemisphere to pace a 2 minute mile.
Modern day trots enthusiasts would be amused to learn that a 2.00 mile could generate so much fuss. Penrith Paceway is of similar dimensions to the Harold Park of Avian Derby’s era. On May 31st, 2018 a little horse called Ignatius paced 1.53.6 for 1720 metres on the tight circuit.
On the Menangle “speedway” a 2.00 mile wouldn’t win a trial.