DESPATCH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 4

DESPATCH

LIKELY FAVOURITE FOR STEWARDS’ HANDICAP Despatch gave a fine display on the second day of the Hawera Trotting Club's meeting on April 7 to win the 3mm 29sec class Kaponga Handicap, of ong mile and a half, in 3min 16 2-ssec, and he followed up with a splendid effort to beat all but Scottish Brogue in the Members' Handicap at the Manawatu Trotting Club’s meeting at Awapuni on Saturday. driven by F. Newfield, was forced to cover some extra ground after starting from the 12 yards mark in the Members’ Handicap, and in the circumstances his time of 2min 43sec was particularly good. A four-year-old son of Lusty Volo and Diamond Cluster, Despatch has improved rapidly under H. J. Smith’s care at Halswell, and his recent form indicates that he should be* hard to beat from the 12 yards mark in the Stewards’ Handicap, of one mile and a half, at Awapuni this week. Most opposition to Despatch may come from Admiration, Mavis Grattan, Kilcasii, Starshell, and Rawfene Grattan. Admiration, which recorded an easy win in the second division of the Parnassus Handicap at the Cheviot Trotting Club’s meeting last month, disappointed by her efforts on the Greymouth track on April 7, but on the roomy course at Awapuni she may show her best form. Kilcash ran Culture to a head in the Broadway Handicap on the first day of the meeting, and this consistent son of Jewel Pointer is entitled to consideration this week. Starshell has some good performances toiler credit this season, and if M. B. Edwarus has her at her best she may fight out the finish with Despatch, Admiration, and Kilcash.

Jottings Carisbrook, which is trained at Addington by E. A. Berry for Mr H. Berry, lost his chance when he broke twice in the Woodfield Memorial Handicap at Awapuni last Saturday. Dragoman pleased by his win in the Ohai Trot Handicap at Riverton on April 8, and he is expected to be prominent over the mile and five furlongs journey in the Otatara Trot at the Southland Racing Club’s meeting this week. Wynleaf, which finished in third place to Gold Winner and Pinto in the Autumn Handicap at Greymouth on April 7, is engaged in the trotting events at the Nelson Jockey Club's meeting. A four-year-old mare, Wyhleaf is by Gamble from Elsie Travis. National Velvet should race well at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting next week. Racing at Nelson The consistent Scotch. Drift, which is now trained by G. Cameron, New Brighton, has recorded four second placings, two third placings, and a fdurth placing in his 10 starts this season, and he should secure his first win for Mr J. McDonald in the trotting events at the Nelson Jockey Club’s meeting this week. A three-year-old gelding, Scotch Drift is by U. Scott from Queen Pot, which is by Jack Potts from Jessie Bells.