A SMART PACER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 75, 30 March 1943, Page 5

A SMART PACER

FORM: OF APRIL DIRECT An acceptor with bright prospects in tIM R. T. Reid Memorial Handicap is the eight-year-old roan pacer April Direct, by Wellington Direct from a Sungod mare. It is true that this gelding has not won E race since he took the Stewards Handicap at Winton on December 28, 1940, and that was only his second win for 16 starts during the season, but there is abundant evidence of improvement during recent months. At Ashburton on Boxing Day last, April Direct finished a good second to Battie Colours over a mile and '• a- half in the Midsummer Handicap, and clocked 3.14 4-5, which was a pretty good line on his chance of winning a race in these parts. An unplaced performance followed, and at his next and last race he was fourth, behind Erinack, Belfast Jack and Jerry Parrish in the Trial Handicap, two miles, at Addington on February 27. His time was 4.26 1-5.. April Direct is trained by his owner, Mr. L. A. Williams. CUP RACE DELETED For its autumn meeting at Trentham on April 10 the Wellington Trotting Club has made some amendments from the programme presented last year. The Wellington Trotting Cup does not figure on this occasion, the R. A. Armstrong . Memorial becoming the principal event with a stake of £500 and the class lengthened to 4.41. Alterations in. classhave been made, too, in other instances, and last year's order has been amended, with the Ferry Handicap coming in as the final event. Although the principal race last year carried a stake of £600 the aggregate stake money remains the same, £2400 being offered.