A daring mid-race move was the key for favourite Wrangler Duke, who wrote his name into the history books as the first winner of the Kyle Barnes Memorial (2120m) at Dubbo Paceway on Friday night.
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The race was named in honour of Kyle Barnes, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer back in March at the age of 61.
With members of his family trackside at a venue where he tasted much success, it was Trent Rue who showed great initiative to steer Wrangler Duke to victory.
Starting from the outside of the front line, Rue was caught three-wide early on Wrangler Duke ($2.30 fav) but managed to get in and find a spot two back in the running line.
Up front, outsider Arcachon ($57.40, Nathan Hurst) was running along at a good tempo.
Just as Hurst tried to steady things up, Rue whipped around and sat in the death set as the field passed the post with one lap remaining.
The move proved decisive, because as the field went up the back straight for the final time Arcachon started to tire and Wrangler Duke extended, building a margin that he was able to maintain, despite Destiny Warrior ($4.80, Mitch Turnbull) doing his best to chase in the concluding stages.
On the line Wrangler Duke had an 8.2m margin on Destiny Warrior, with Kyalla Stuart ($13.60, Monique Parsons) a further 6.3m back in third place.
The mile rate for the event was a slick 1:57.4.
Later in the evening, Bathurst trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt unveiled a pair of potential Gold Crown carnival contenders in the shape of three-year-olds Trunkey Digger and Charlevoix.
Trunkey Digger stamped herself as a potential Gold Tiara prospect when leading all the-way in the Crampton’s Carpet 3yo Pace (1720m).
The Rock N Roll Heaven (USA) x Headline Franco (NZ) filly held off the fast-finishing The Notorious ($21.60, Jason Gaffney) in a mile rate of 2:00.4.
The runner-up, no doubt named after Irish UFC star Conor McGregor, should also be followed as he showed great tenacity to almost chase down the odds-on favourite.
Charlevoix didn’t run as quick a time as his stablemate but he still got the job done for punters when winning the Ray Tobin Signs 3yo Pace (1720m), stamping his credentials as a Gold Chalice hope.
The gelding, which was sent out a $1.70 favourite, was taken back from his outside draw while his main rival Multi Score ($2.80, John O’Shea) pushed to the lead after being three wide early.
Hewitt avoided some trouble as he attempted to make his run before eventually grinding down Multi Score in the shadows of the post to win in a mile rate of 2:01.1.
Love Is Love ($9.70, Jason Gaffney) finished third after striking trouble at the start.
