26 April 2021 | Tim Blee
The upcoming potential blockbuster between the vastly experienced Lavro Joe, the relatively inexperienced JumpingJackMack and a very deep supporting cast in this Friday Night’s WA Derby could well herald the rise of another champion, just as it did 60 years ago. Bin Oro was steered to victory in the 1961 classic by the ace reinsman of the day, the brilliant Alan Woodworth (for his father/trainer Stan) but the lead up and preparation for the time honored blue ribbon Group 1 event was vastly different to the norms of today.
The thought of a horse going into a Derby with 30 race starts was unheard of, coupled with the very limited opportunities for 3 year old racing in those times, with no lead up events such as the Western Gateway Pace or the raft of Sales Classics races currently available. In fact, Bin Oro, who would go on to be ones of the WA’s most enduring and brilliant performers, was having his first 3 year old start when he contested heat 1 of the 1961 WA Derby on February 25, 1961. With Max Johnson driving (with Woodworth aboard stable mate Description), the 12/1 chance had to settle for 3rd place behind another star colt in Majestic Son (Gil Starkie). Majestic Son had the benefit of race experience having won his first 3 year old race at Harvey back in October 1960 (and was placed 3rd at his 2nd start on the same night) and in 5 subsequent starts, he had claimed wins at both Pinjarra and Gloucester Park along with a 2nd place in an open 2.21 and better event at Richmond Raceway. He was the vastly more experienced colt and started as the 2/1 favourite in the Derby heat, which he won comfortably by 2 metres over Freeman Potts with a further 6 metres back to Bin Oro. Robert Rivaire won the second heat by a big margin as the 5/2 on favourite and would proceed to the Derby Final on March 4th as a warm 7/4 favourite.
However, on the back of a brilliant Woodworth drive, it was Bin Oro (8/1) who triumphed by 4 metres over Freeman Potts with Robert Rivaire a beaten favourite in 4th and Majestic Son back in 5th place. It was the first of multiple feature race wins for Bin Oro who went on to be a class Interdominion performer with 3 heat wins, a 4th to Cardigan Bay in the Final and a win in a consolation to go with his August Cup, Christmas Handicap, State Sprint Championship (a fore runner to the Mount Eden Sprint) and Birthday Cup wins in addition to his 3rd in the WA Pacing Cup and numerous Free For Alls. Majestic Son also had a very successful career as a quality FFA and Cups performer.
A similar scenario presents itself this Friday Night. Will it be the racecraft and brilliance of Lavro Joe that prevails or will JumpingJackMack, the relatively inexperienced tyro, touted by champion trainer Gary Hall Snr as “the best 3 year old he has trained”, emerge victorious. Will the country based hobby trainer Ray Jones ace the might of the Hall stable or will there be a surprise emerge from the quality field that oozes class, such as Mighty Ronaldo or the highly thought of Pinny Tiger?
The only thing not in doubt is that this WA Derby will be a contest for the ages with levels of interest hopefully as high as they were 60 years ago. Friday night can’t come soon enough.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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