Mandurama trainer Stephen Cleary watched on with delight, as his two-year black bitch Somers Lane came from behind to win her maiden race at Kennerson Park in the Duke’s Ladbrokes Previews Maiden (307 metres) on Monday.
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Somers Lane, backed at $3.80 odds, jumped from the box well but it was early pace setter Push Over ($9.50) who jumped the best and lead the race until the final turn.
Somers Lane worked herself around the leader and charged into the lead to claim her first win in just her second start.
The Cleary-trained dog had started favourite, after original race favourite Negoa Sprite ($2.50) was a late scratching.
Cleary believes the dog has a bright future.
“She did what she could do,” he said.
“She’s only a young dog but she’s going to be handy dog I think.”
Cleary was extremely pleased with how Somers Lane finished the race, pulling ahead to claim victory.
“She’s going to be very strong,” he said.
“She’s only a baby. I’m taking my time with her. There’s no rush.”
Somers Lane’s previous start came at Kennerson Park on June 11 when she ran third.
“She got herself into a bit of trouble in that one but this time she stayed out of trouble,” Cleary said.
“She’ll be a pretty handy dog.”
Diva Rose Cargo, who was listed as an emergency and stepped up after the late scratching to Negoa Sprite, proved her worth, finishing third.
Overall, just 0.56 of a second separated winning dog Somers Lane and last placed Duckamloi Fox.
Elsewhere, Paul and Pam Braddon won the June edition of the Ladbrokes Monthly Medal with Double Up Dee, who ran a fast 29.85 seconds over 520 metres.