RACING Elvin Spark wins at Hokitika

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 8

RACING Elvin Spark wins at Hokitika

Elvin Spark, one of the star hacks at the New Zealand Gup meeting this month, has his first win in e open class when he beat Gay Doctor and Senator Jack in the V. P. Bernard Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. double at Hokitika yesterday.

Ridden with excellent judgment by M. J. Skelton, Elvin Spark was always in a handy position. Senator Jack made the pace from Gay Doctor and Elvin Spark together, with General Boy next. Going down the back Senator Jack was a couple of lengths clear of Elvin Spark, Gay Doctor, General Boy, Glamis Lad, and Mr Joe. Elvin Spark started to move up to the leader rounding the home bend and they entered the straight on terms.: Elvin Spark soon took control and won by two lengths, Gay Doctor got up to deadheat with Senator Jack, with General Boy only a nose away. One of the lesser fancied runners, Doug’s General, won the Woodstock Hack Handi-

cap, second leg of the double. It was a good performance as he was well back two furlongs from home. Strathghanistan led out and was not challenged until the straight when Magic Man moved up, with Flicka Gold, Carioca and Doug’s General dose behind. The favourite, Magic Man ran on well but

i. Doug’s General and Carioca, s on the rails, got to him, with •- the former getting the verdict by half a head. Magic Man d was a neck away third with e a gap of four lengths to n Flicka Gold. 1, M. Skelton rode both winil ners of the double races, the s, latter success giving him his it fourth win for the day.