Greg Hook’s veteran gelding, Subway Surfer has snuck home in a three-way photo finish in the first, the $22,000 Adelaide @ Coolmore Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m), at Scone, with just half-a-length separating Hook’s winner from the fourth-placed Our Tax Return.

Subway Surfer ($15) was at modest odds pre-race and missed the jump, shooting out the back as the likes of Serious Dancer ($3.40 favourite) and Scatter Blast ($11) set a cracking early pace.

Hook’s seven-year-old settled in on the rail towards the back of the nine-horse field and didn’t really make his move until the field tackled the bend at the Scone Race Club.

And it was a massive move.

With hoop Jeff Penza guiding the way, Subway Surfer flew out four wide and surged into contention on the straight, hitting the lead with 200 metres to go before both Shangato ($4.20) and Scatter Blast began to narrowly edge Hook’s big bay gelding in the final furlong.

But, with just four wins in 58 starts, Subway Surfer found an extra jump late and hit the line in front by a nose in a real slugfest of a finish over the 1600m, notching up his fifth career win, his first since saluting at Mudgee on country championship qualifier day in February this year.

Nothing could separate Shangato and Scatter Blast with the pair in a dead-heat for second while Our Tax Return finished in fourth narrowly behind the placings.