BERNIE Hewitt narrowly missed out on a top three lockout in Wednesday night’s Town & Country Rural Supplies 2YO Pace (1,730 metres) at Bathurst Paceway.
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The Georges Plains trainer took out the race with filly Trunkey Digger ($15.10), with Lifes A Jungle ($3.50 favourite) running third and debutant Im Ok ($4.30) taking fourth.
It was Hewitt’s brother, Mark, who spoiled the party on runner-up and first-time start Our Jack Starr ($3.90).
Trunkey Digger managed to lead from start to finish on Wednesday but was challenged in the late stages by a line of four runners.
With 100m left to run it appeared Our Jack Starr was going to catch the leader before Trunkey Digger caught a second wind to take a career-first win.
Winning driver Mat Rue was having his first drive on the Hewitt filly but was well aware of her capabilities.
“I was confident around the turn and I thought I had Mark Hewitt’s horse beat but I wasn’t sure what was coming home behind me,” he said.
“I actually drove against her at Parkes on Sunday and she went really good over there, so I was confident she could run a good race tonight.
She’s got plenty of racing experience on her side, and I think she’s going to head to the spelling paddock now and have the rest of the year off.
“I don’t think she’s led in a race before … but tonight was the night to push the button and say ‘let’s do it’. It’s not ideal for a little filly like her to be leading on a big track like this but she showed a bit of strength to hold them off.”