TROTTING CALTEX CUP TO GOLD BOOTS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31084, 13 June 1966, Page 4

TROTTING CALTEX CUP TO GOLD BOOTS

Showpiece Completes Nelson Double (From Our Own Reporter) NELSON. Although at double-figure odds, Gold Boots received a warm ovation when he overcame his handicap of 60 yards and won the Caltex Gold Cup by a head from a near outsider in Richard Hanover at Richmond Park on Saturday.

Gold Boots is raced in partnership by Mr J. L. Pugh and his Richmond trainer, J. T. Hill, a former president of the Nelson Trotting Club.

He was driven by the Hinds trainer, W. E. Lowe, who has been associated with him in several of his races.

Gold Boots began very quickly, but Lowe did not attempt to improve with him to any extent until the field reached the boggy part of the track shortly after passing the half-mile. Most of the runners were anchored in the bad ground, which extended for about two furlongs, and several tangled slightly and dropped back. Not Gold Boots, which revelled in the conditions. He swooped round the field to be sixth into the straight, quite handy to Snow Chief. Hal Special, Richard Hanover, Chaman and Tahu. Richard Hanover strode clear immediately with Gold Boots closing on him at the furlong. There was little between them over the last 150

yards, and Gold Boots did slightly better to win by a head, much to the delight of his host of local supporters.

Richard Hanover’s effort was his best for a long time. He finished a short length in front of Eyreton, a strong finisher wide out after becoming awkwardly placed from the three furlongs. Boblita, the outsider of the field, made ground for fourth, two lengths back just ahead of Wight, one of the tailenders to the straight after a slow start. Vantage was almost in line next He was almost last at .the half-mile and made up a I little ground. He just shaded Tabu and Chaman. I Favourite Beaten Showpiece qualified to start in the Craddock Handicap on the second day of the meeting when he wore down the favourite, Student and beat him by a length going away in the Stoke Handicap, the

second leg of the main double. The Gold BootsShowpiece double paid £l5l 19s fid for £l.

Vandior, White Smoke, John, Angel Lass, Winfield Chief and Unreal all lost ground at the start Student began best, but with six furlongs left Fallax took over. White Smoke sprinted up soon afterwards and with Showpiece worked to the front.

At the half-mile White Smoke was soon clear again. Student following him into the straight with John, Showpiece, Angel Lass and Golden Garry handy. Student was clear in a few strides, with Showpiece edging up to him at the furlong.

D. G. Jones waited until the last 75 yards before asking Showpiece for an effort. The response was immediate and he drew away to win by a length. Student was almost two lengths in front of a strong finisher in Winfield Chief, with half a length to the -tiring White Smoke. Fallax was beaten off fifth, ahead of Golden Garry, Unreal and Spry.