Course Double Paid £59

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 4

Course Double Paid £59

The little-fancied Good Samaritan and the strongly supported Debater returned £59 3s 6d for £1 in winning Riccarton's first on-course double yesterday.

Good Samaritan carried £483 10s of a pool of £7231 10s and Debater was the second strongest fancy for the second leg with 404 5s tickets. Good Samaritan and Young Souvenir, the only North Island horses in the field, were two of the principals in the finish of the Spreydon Hurdles.

Good Samaritan led throughout and won by three lengths and a half, and Young Souvenir just failed to catch Fine Chase for second.

This was Good Samaritan's first win for three years.

Good Samaritan was having his first start at the meeting as a jumper: he failed in the Jumpers’ Flat on Saturday. Ridden at 71b overweight by J. H. Hely, Good Samaritan had Game Call alongside him for a time, but was left clear when the favourite’s jumping deteriorated.

Fine Chase led the chase after Good Samaritan from the halfmile, but found It a hopeless chase. Young Souvenir did not have the early speed to hold a handy position, but he made a stayer’s run from the back for third. Thumper was two lengths back fourth and five lengths clear of Grand Prix. UNCHALLENGED Debater spurted to the front after trailing to the straight

in the Sumner Handicap and was ridden right out to win by two lengths from Lord Fair. Akubra, Debater’s most solidly-backed rival, was third and was unchallenged for that position. Misjudge, Smuggler’s Bank, Last Count, Ham, and Belle El Nil gave ground at the start. Soaring High was in front inside a furlong, with Debater, Matador Blue Harken, Akubra, and Lord Fair handy. Soaring High still led on the turn, but only just. A moment later Debater was clear, and he ran the race out solidly to win decisively. Lord Fair beat Akubra by three lengths and a half for second.

Clipper kept up a solid run from the ruck for fourth two lengths behind Akubra, and Tempt, Baywyn, Prince Callan, and Fort Garry followed close behind.