After losing money at the racecourse, the Optimist (Enn Reitel) meets Sal (Julia Chambers) the owner of the stables, and manages to get work as a stable boy, where he saves the aptly named horse Nutter from being sent to the knackers yard and lovingly prepares him for the big race. Betting spies are afoot and the stakes are high as the day arrives, with Nutter the favourite. Unfortunately, Nutter loves his saviour so much that during the race he suddenly stops to go over and give him a nuzzle. Now the Optimist is on the run.