After trialling for Stanley in August last year, he had only given her three race starts before heading to Dubbo to contest a three-year-old maiden plate (1,100 metres).

But Hollywood Nell, who started as the $2.30 favourite, handled the heavy track well and went on to finish 41⁄2 lengths clear of her nearest rival.

“She won and she won nicely,” a pleased Stanley said.

The Dubbo run was her second start of her second campaign, the two being split by a 25-week spell. That time in the paddock away from the track proved to be a good decision.

“She did have a bit of a spell, but we were just letting her develop a bit, she was only a two-year-old when I got her,” Stanley said.

“I gave her her first start at Hawkesbury in a two-year-old race and she ran sixth, we really didn’t worry about racing her too quickly or too hard.

“We then started her at Bathurst and she ran a nice second before we gave her a spell.

“We started her back again at Canterbury, we more or less threw her into the deep end there. We knew she couldn’t win that race, but I just wanted to give her a run at the races, we couldn’t find anything around for her. She ran eighth and it was a good run.

“I then entered her here [at Bathurst], but when she was behind the barriers she got kicked in the belly and was obviously scratched. But she was okay after that and that race in Dubbo was a nice one for her.”

Finding  a suitable race in Dubbo came as good news for Hollywood Nell’s owners, who include a pair of sisters aged 90 and 87. 

Both were present at Dubbo and delighted when Hollywood Nell lived up to her $2.30 favouritism.

It was Michael Travers who had the ride, and after going from barrier six and finding the head of the field, the Quest For Fame x Nellie’s Glen filly did it comfortably.

She finished well clear of second placed Sahara Jewel ($7) from the strong Brett Thompson stables, with Baffle ($15) nearly two lengths further back in third.

“He put her into position and she just took the bit and started to roll along, so he just let her go to the front,” Stanley said of Travers’ ride.

“He just let her run along to the 800, then he dug her in the ribs a bit and she got going.

“He only tapped her about six times, she was sort of out in front doing it on her own. It was a very good ride, he’s a very good rider.”

The win continued a good period for Stanley’s team, the trainer saying: “About a month ago I had all maidens, now I have got a lot of Class 1s.”

Fellow Bathurst trainer Kevin Higgins joined Stanley in finding success with a maiden runner at Dubbo.

His five-year-old mare Half For You ($3 favourite) took out the Sunny Cowgirls Maiden Plate (1,300m) in a closer finish over Makedyn ($5).

Anthony Cavallo had the ride on the Half Hennessy x See The Gold mare and settled in second as Makedyn set the pace.

But in the run to the line Higgins’ chance was too good, the win coming after a pair of second placings at Tyres Park.