BRILLIANT PACER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1941, Page 16

BRILLIANT PACER

JOSEDALE GRATTAN BACK

(By "Ariki Toa.")

According to a report from the north, the American-bred pacer Josedale Grattan is accomplishing his training tasks in pleasing fashion at Takanini, and it should not take long to bring him to the peak of his form. One of the most brilliant pacers yet imported from. America, this horse has made steady improvement with racing, and he has worked his way into the best classes. It is interesting to recall that his trainer, F. J. Smith, has remarked that he never worked the record holder Van Derby better than a 2.8 mile, whereas Josedale Grattan has covered the same distance in 2min 4sec. , Backed and Beaten. The ex-Hutt Park pacer Castella del Oro was backed and beaten into third place in the Devonport Handicap at Epsom last Saturday, and no excuses could be offered for his defeat. He was never further back than second in the early stages and raced to the front half a mile from home, but from that stage he commenced to weaken, and it was only by a narrow margin that he retained the minor money.1 As it is reasonable to expect him to improve with the run. which was his first for just on three months, in all propabtlity he will again carry staunch support at the Waikato Meeting next week. , Consistent Pacer. / Among the outstanding performances at the Auckland Meeting last Saturday was that of Kenworthy in equalling the track record of 3min 13sec for a mile and a half. It was >an excellent' reward for - his recent consistency. Kenworthy has proved successful on many courses, and his record to date is 13 firsts and 32 minor placings for £3905. Likely Novice. A maiden that attracted attention at his first appearance was Gamester, who finished fairly handy to the placegetters in the novice race at Epsom ■ast Saturday after not being undulyknocked about. A three-year-old by Jack Potts, Gamester is trained by M. Stewart, and as he should derive some reasonable benefit from the experience he should be a bright, proposition' for an early success. / Likely Trotter. A trotter who should not remain long in the maiden ranks is the *'Worthy Bingen gelding Twice Worthy, who secured two minor placings at the Manawatu Meeting. On each occasion he trotted very solidly, Snd there was no disgrace in his being beaten in 3min 28 l-ssee on the second day. He has commenced racing only this season and should improve considerably with the experience.