SAM SCOTT AND ABEL WIN COURSE DOUBLE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 4

SAM SCOTT AND ABEL WIN COURSE DOUBLE

(From Our Own Reporter) NELSON. Sam Scott, a useful fourth in his race on Saturday, gained a deserved first win in the Canvastown Handicap, the first leg of the on-course double at Richmond Park yesterday-

In a desperate finish with Moonstorm, Sam Scott won by a nose, after drifting-out over the last half-furiong. The decision was so close that in his visual call the judge, Mr W. A. Gibsone, called for Moonstorm ahead of Sam Scott. Garry Shane, bracketed with Moonstorm, got up to take third by a head from Newlands and Echo Tryax. but they were a length and a half behind Moonstorm. Chrome, First Signal, Swagger and Wainoni Jim lost their chances at the start and took no part. Abel, a place-getter on Saturday, gave the Winton trainer, H. W. Cox, his first win at the meeting when he held off another Southland horse, Silver Spring, in the Murchison Handicap, the second leg of the on-course double. There were 171 5s tickets on the Combination, which paid £26 16s for £l. Abe) gradually made up ground and was with the leader, Awayugo, racing to the straight. He was clear in a few strides, with Silver Spring the only other runner to offer] more than token opposition.

However, Abel fought on best to win by half a neck. Silver Spring was six lengths in front of a game finisher in Guess Who, with a similar gap back to Fair Trial, which made up a little ground. DECISIVE WIN The Probationers’ Handicap resulted in a narrow but decisive win for the favourite, Ewtor. driven by B. Buchanan. Ewtor, the beaten favourite in his race on Saturday, was again strongly supported. He waited until late in the race before challenging and finished solidly to win by half a length from Platform, which just shaded Restabell. NOT AT EASE Hazelburn Lass and Tobacconist won the divisions of the Havelock Handicap. Hazelbum Lass was not at ease in the going and tangled slightly at least three times. She was switched wide on the track early in the run home and finished on better than any of the others to win by a head from Newlands, which had looked the winner at the furlong. Echo Tryax, which had been well back early, took third ahead of Atabal. Tobacconist, a slow begin-

ner, rushed to the front with half a mile left in the second division. He gained a clear lead racing to the Straight and maintained his advantage to the line where he was a length in front of Scott’s Song.

Garry Shane was beaten off third, clear of Chrome and Gay Jebn.