Good night for Cameron

Press, 25 August 1980, Page 24

Good night for Cameron

Followers of the Ashburton trainer-reinsman, Robert Cameron, had a most successful night at Addington Raceway on Saturday. Cameron drove three of the nine winners, bringing his total for the two nights to fiveHe started the night by leading from end to end with the first-night long-shot winner, Daylight Express, this time at odds of 11 to 1. Cameron’s perceptive judgment of pace was largely responsible. for- the second -success for Daylight Express; He sprinted hard over the first 400 m, slowed the field down, and then tore over the last 800 m in 58.8 s to leave his rivals struggling in his wake. Daylight Express had two lengths and a half to spare over Prince Nugent, with Royal Decision a good third, clear of Cousteau, which made ground steadily near the end.

Black ’ Jet, following a , splendid sixth of a week earlier, was next with a win in the’ Hillmorton Handicap. Like Daylight Express, he is partowned and trained at Invercargill by Lex Thomas, who will leave both horses at Ashburton this week so that they can race at the New Brighton meeting next Saturday. Black Jet was handily

placed on the outside. He followed the odds-on favourite, ROydon Albatross, up racing to the straight, took a shorlead inside the last 200 m and responded under a vigorous drive by Cameron to last it out by half a neck. Adventureux, driven by Garry Shand, made ground ■for second, clear of Roydqn Albatross, which lost some skin when checked early. Balgove Boy lost his chance at the start and did well for sixth. Daylight Express and Black Jet formed the first and third legs of an on-course treble worth $2463.80. The middle leg was won in style by Best Choice, which led throughout the Addington Handicap. Tough Girl made a belated bid to cut Game Captain out of second in the last few strides. Kotare Hunter, which was a doubtful starter in the Ron Carter Stakes because of a kick he received on the morning of the race, proved a class above his rivals. He took the lead near the 600 m and cleared away to win by three lengths from Espirutu, which shaded Sir Ron, El Regale and Worthy Del. Kotare Hunter, raced by Mr and Mrs Tony Abell, is a strong colt by a former top pacer in Kotare Legend, from Kotare Del. He has the New Zealand Derby Stakes in No-

vember as his main spring mission. ' ‘ Kotare Hunter completed a jackpot worth $1590.10, sic tickets . being successful. Scotch- Tar-became another double, winner at the meeting when he won with ease in the Winter Handicap. He had control with more than 1200 m left and won untested by a length and a half from Sure Mart, with Kate’s Return a fair third, clear of excalibur and Fair Alda. It was the twenty-first success for Scotch Tar, which

has now won $87,610. D’Or Favori made a successful start fbr the season when she won the Ken Samson Handicap with ease. In a good line-up, the favourite, Wickliffe, got up to shade Royal Lopez and Reuben James for second. Paul Young combined with Cap Duhaine to -win the Visitors’ Handicap, a race for probationary drivers. Cap Duhaine held out the outsider, Scottish Blend, by a half a neck, with Hey Byrd taking third by a head from Bocasa Lord, Looking Glass and The Trump.