Six out of nine ain’t bad for Scots-based trainers at Musselburgh

Scottish stables had a field day at Musselburgh with six of the nine winners trained north of the border.

Keith Dalgleish led the way with a 46 -1 double supplied by Heights Of Abraham and Three Castles, both ridden by Shane Gray.

The former stormed home in the Start Your Career With Scottish Racing Academy Maiden Auction Stakes while Three Castles held on by a neck in the Racing Welfare For All Of Racing’s People Handicap.

Gray said of Heights Of

Abraham: “He’s come on for his debut at Ayr and he did it nicely out there today. He handled the soft er ground and didn’ t mind stepping up to seven furlongs.”

Katie Scott, based near Galashiels, struck in the Scottish Racing Academy Now Recruiting Students Handicap with Gweedore who was winning his first race at the 11th attempt.

Ali stair W hill ans was on the mark in the Musselburgh Racecourse Supports Racing Welfare Handicap with Hawick raider Amazing Alba, who also was also winning for the first time in her 19th race.

Smart Lass took the Racing Welfare Supporting Racing’s

Workforce Handicap under East Lothian-born jockey Andrew Mullen for Dumfriesshire trainer Iain Jardine.

And East Kilbride’ s Linda Perratt opened her account for the year when well-backed 9-4 favourite Chinese Spirit gained a last-g asp success in the scottish racing academy. scot ClassifiedS takes.

Meanwhile, Summerghand, the winner of the Unibet Stewards Cup at Goodwood earlier this month, heads the weights for the QTS Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday 19 September.

The David O’meara trained six year-old, fourth in the race last year, has been allocated 9st 13lbs and gives 6lbs to next top rated Dakota Gold, from the Michael Dods stable, who has been running mainly in Group and Listed company.

The highest rated three yearold in the field is the Mark Johnston-trained M era as, winner of the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton in July, who is due to carry 9st 1lb.

Four year-old Wise Counsel who was third in a Listed race at Goodwood and won a Class 3 handicap at Ayr on Gold Cup day last year, is off 8st 12lbs and Clive Cox looks to have trained him with this race in mind.

The Tim Easterby-trained Staxton who won the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon 12 days ago will probably need another win before Gold Cup day to guarantee a run in the race as his current BHA rating is on the low side and he may have to make do with a slot in the QTS Ayr Silver Cup.