TRAINER Kerry McDowell was screaming and driver Colin McDowell was given a huge scare on Friday night when their filly Michelle Lee Mac ran down the home straight in the Gold Tiara Final.
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But moments later those emotions were replaced with feelings of elation as they celebrated victory in the prestigious Group 1 decider at the Bathurst Gold Crown Paceway.
It was the first Group 1 success of Kerry's training career while for Colin, it came 33 years after he guided Loves A Dance to victory in the inaugural Gold Tiara Final.
Though Michelle Lee Mac was backed into $2.90 favouritism for the $100,000 feature for two-year-old fillies, as the contest unfolded it looked as if she would have to settle for a minor placing.
With 500 metres of the 1,730m contest remaining, Michelle Lee Mac was locked away three back on the pegs.
But somehow Colin McDowell got her off the pegs and peeled three wide into the final bend. Then, after hitting the lead with 100m to go, the favourite had to dig even deeper to hold off a flying Eye Can Run who Robbie Morris had steered down the sprint lane.
Michelle Lee Mac held on to win by a half neck.
"I said to everyone before the race that I knew I'd got the best horse, the best trained horse, the best horse bred for the race," Colin McDowell said of the Bettors Delight x Duets filly.
"I also said that I need luck. The heavens opened up on that top corner, I got the right run at the right time.
"I've got to say if my drive was good, Robbie Morris was equally as good. It scared the shit out of me halfway down the straight when I seen it was him coming at me.
"Yes, it was better than the first one."
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Before Colin McDowell produced a bit of magic in the gig, Tequila Tequila showed blinding speed early to cross from barrier six and lead for Mitch Turnbull.
As the bell sounded Jo Dina rolled up and pressed on into the lead, the field clocking a hot 27.1 seconds first quarter.
Gee Gee Blinxs then got her head in front of Jo Dina into the bend, but at the same time Michelle Lee Mac started her run. Watching on track side, Kerry McDowell knew it was the telling moment.
Michelle Lee Mac made it three wins from four career starts as she clocked a handy 1:56.9 mile rate to hold off Eye Can Run ($4). It was a gap of 7.4m back to Gee Gee Blinxs ($9, Wayne Sullivan) in third.
"All I know was that I was jumping up and down and screaming with Michelle Lee Mac, who the horse is named after," the trainer said.
"It was just exhilarating, to have all that hard work put in, especially through breeding her, it was very, very exciting.
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"As soon as Colin came around that home turn, I know she's got a ton of speed, she's got a very big motor. So when he came around the turn and was clear, I thought 'He's got it'. Still, you never say never until they cross the line.
"It was a phenomenal drive, I just think it was one of the best drives he's ever had. It was just brilliant. I was screaming down the back 'Get out, get out' and he did."
Colin McDowell joined Chris Alford (Amongst Royalty, Lombo La Fe Fee) and Russell Jack (Yeronga Songbird, Sheza Lobell) in being a two-time Gold Tiara winning driver.
