We recently stumbled upon some high quality photographs from the 1952 Interdominion series - the eleventh to be conducted and the very first at Sydney’s iconic Harold Park Paceway. The action was captured by the late Gene Lett who snapped thousands of photos on Sydney harness tracks during his long career. Gene’s son “Chips” continues the family tradition of excellence to this day.
Sydney horse enthusiasts were already “hooked” on the spectacle of night trotting which had been introduced just over two years earlier. The gathering of so many top class horses in one place created a buzz usually reserved for one of the big race days at Randwick. A total of 116,477 fans attended the four night series, with a record 38,090 cramming into the landmark Glebe venue on the final night.
Gene Lett snapped this one from the "Flat Reserve" adjacent to the home turn. Look at the crowd in the foreground.
Thirty thousand pounds in prize money (about $300,000 in 2021) was distributed over four nights with the Grand Final carrying ten thousand pounds. All races were run from a standing start with different distances on all four nights. It was determined that maximum handicaps would apply - 36 yards (just under 33 metres) on the first two nights, and 48 yards (just under 44 metres) on the third night and in the Grand Final.
The aged Riverina stallion Avian Derby made a bold statement on the opening night when he began so fast from his 24yds handicap that he was in front after a furlong. He was never threatened to win comfortably from Tasmania’s Floodlight in track record time for 10 fls (about 2012 metres). He was to be driven throughout the series by Victoria’s Dave “Darkie” Wilson replacing trainer Syl Bray who was suspended shortly before the carnival began.
The impeccably mannered son of Lawn Derby was even more dominant on the second night in the 113/4 furlong heat. Again he “flew” the mark from 24yds and quickly circled the field. Dave Wilson was unperturbed when he had to sit outside the leader New Zealander Ada Scott. He burst clear down the back straight and won by two lengths, recording a faster mile rate than he had on opening night.
Avian Derby was dominant in his second heat win recording a faster mile rate than he had on the opening night.
Then came the “bombshell”. A couple of days later Avian Derby came down with a colic attack and had to be scratched from the third round of heats. The conditions of the series clearly stated that horses must contest all three qualifying heats to be eligible for the Grand Final, unless veterinary certificates could be produced to justify a withdrawal.
Trainer Bray quickly presented a certificate from a vet of his own choosing which confirmed the horse’s inability to start. That opinion was supported by two independent vets engaged by the NSW Trotting Club. Luckily Avian Derby’s two heat wins had given him sufficient points to make the Grand Final. The 15 hand dynamo didn’t have the same racing luck he’d enjoyed in the qualifying heats.
He suffered a couple of early checks, and by the time the bell was sounded Avain Derby was buried in seventh spot on the fence. Soon after his outside sulky wheel locked with Floodlight’s near side wheel and Dave Wilson said later it seemed an eternity before those wheels disengaged. Then came an incident that could have spelled disaster, but worked in Avian Derby’s favour. Several runners were inconvenienced when Minor Derby galloped in the back straight, enabling Wilson to get off the fence and secure a lucky run between horses. The odds on favourite exploded to the lead at the top of the straight and the Grand Final was all over.
The compact bay stallion overcame a chequered run in the Grand Final to easily defeat Recovered and Floodlight.
Avian Derby’s popularity with the fans prompted the NSW Trotting Club to invite him to go against the clock at Harold Park two weeks later. Aided by two galloping pacemakers he stopped the clock at exactly two minutes becoming the first horse in the Southern Hemisphere to pace a two minute mile - a mere bagatelle in 2021 but very big news almost seventy years ago.
Almost twenty years later Dave Wilson was left paraplegic when flung into the running rail in a Melbourne race fall. Although wheelchair bound he insisted on being taken to trotting meetings by friends, maintaining a keen interest for the rest of his life.
At the height of his powers, “Darkie” was regarded by his contemporaries as one of Australia’s most skilful race drivers. Obviously the ranks are thin when you start looking for horsemen who were around in Avian Derby’s day. Ninety four year old Colin Watts was just beginning his successful career when the 1952 Interdominion came to NSW. “I can remember seeing his dam Avian Lass competing at the Sydney Royal in the mid 1940’s,” said Colin. “She was a plain little mare trained by a man called Lynch from Cowra”.
“You wouldn’t have expected her to leave a neat, compact horse like Avian Derby who would reach the top level in the sport, and become our first 2.00 performer. She was bred by Mr. Lynch in Cowra but later sold to a client of the Syl Bray stable. The thing I remember most of all about him were his race manners. He was a bomb proof racehorse which gave him a big advantage in those standing start days. The fact that he was sired by the great Lawn Derby didn’t do him any harm either.”
This is what they were wearing in 1952! A section of the 38,090 strong crowd in the official stand on the final night.
Veteran trots journalist Harry Pearce was only eighteen years old when the Inderdominion came to Sydney in 1952. He hadn’t long begun his first job with Trotguide, the “bible” of Australian harness racing which went online in 2019 after 73 years of publication. Harry’s still in awe of the fact that the dawn of his new career coincided with such a memorable carnival and the dominance of a special horse.
“I was blown away by the crowds and the electric atmosphere of Harold Park in that era,” recalled the 89 year old. “I remember Avian Derby as a no nonsense little horse who was all business from the moment he stepped onto the track. There were howls of protest from connections of other runners when he was allowed to run in the Grand Final. It’s worth remembering the 10,000 pounds purse compared favourably with the 12,500 pounds on offer for Dalray’s Melbourne Cup nine months later. How things have changed.”
Syl Bray receives a silver tea service from Clive Evatt MLA after the Grand Final.
Syl Bray was first attracted to Avian Derby when the Cowra horse soundly defeated his good mare Gwendella at the Cootamundra show in the late 40’s. He was able to purchase the son of Lawn Derby on behalf of a Victorian client who briefly raced the horse under his wife’s maiden name of “Miss J. Harvey”. Avian Derby won first up at Woodend, but was beaten at his second start on the same track. The new owners were so disappointed they immediately arranged to sell him on to another Melburnian Mr. A. Bell who raced the stallion right through to his A.G. Hunter Cup win in 1951.
Bell’s reasons for selling Avian Derby were never disclosed, but over the following twelve months he may well have regretted the decision. Avian Derby’s fourth owner was Melbourne bookmaker Fred Hanlon who raced him to the end of his career and retained ownership when the stallion retired to stud. From limited opportunities Avian Derby sired some 50 winners.
Avian Derby's owner, Melbourne bookmaker Fred Hanlon received a handsome trophy from Clive Evatt MLA. Vice President Alton Cusick looked on.
Sixteen thousand people turned up at Harold Park on Friday Dec 17th 2010, when the curtain came down on more than a century of racing on the famous track. Many older patrons came along for no other reason than to farewell “the old girl”, and to remember her contribution to the Sydney social fabric from the long awaited October night in 1949 when the “ribbon of light” came into being.
Sky Racing presenters mingled with the crowd during the night seeking interviews with those who had been regulars in years gone by. Most were delighted to share their memories. Some had to wipe away a tear.
Avian Derby's impeccable manners excluded the placing of a rose garland around his neck. Driver Dave Wilson had to perform the task.
Avian Derby was dynamic off his 24 yd handicap in the opening round of heats.
(Banner image - The famous Harold Park "Ribbon of Light" on Grand Final night 1952. It was standing room only.)