Despatch’s piece of history

Goodwood Handicap winner Despatch has created his own piece of history this preparation.

Trainer Tony McEvoy’s four-year-old has become the first horse in South Australian racing history to land the feature race treble of the Listed Oakbank (Hills Railway) Stakes, Group 3 D C McKay Stakes and Group 1 Goodwood Handicap.

Despatch also became only the fifth horse to win the McKay Stakes – Goodwood Handicap double since the introduction of the McKay Stakes in 1974.

He was the first horse to complete the double in 30 years joining past stars Puncheon (1976), Comaida Boy (1979), Lord Galaxy (1986) and Boardwalk Angel (1989).

The son of Written Tycoon has now won seven of his 11 starts earning $954,105 and proving a value purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing at $195,000 when he topped in the 2016 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Despatch is now in Brisbane where he will attempt to following in the 2018 hoofprints of Santa Ana Lane and complete the Goodwood Handicap – Stradbroke Handicap double.

In 2016, Black Heart Bart beat Under The Louvre in the Goodwood, then the latter turned the tables in the Stradbroke, the pair again running the quinella.

The $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on Saturday, June 8.