A BETTING plunge was successful when the Bathurst trained Promisorio won the 800 metres Eric Pugh Memorial Maiden Plate at Tomingley on Saturday.
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Prior to recently joining Peter Stanley's stable at Bathurst, Promisorio had woeful form, finishing in last position at eight of nine starts.
The only time Promisorio had beaten a rival home was when 11th of 12 runners at Gunnedah when more than 30 lengths from the winner.
Bookmakers at Tomingley put up $8 for Promisorio and were nearly knocked off their stands when a flood of money from well-informed punters saw the odds tumble to $2 favouritism.
The reason for the betting plunge was the huge improvement displayed by Promisorio in a 10-horse barrier trial after the recent Mudgee meeting.
Another McCloud, winner of three TAB races, won the trial from The Scotsman with Promisorio a handy third after showing plenty of early pace.
Amongst the unplaced runners were a number of noted TAB track performers including Velaro, Bel Diablo, Fairy Fragments and Turcotte, which subsequently won the prestigious Soldier's Saddle at Bathurst on Anzac Day.
It was something punters took note of.
Ridden by Michael Gray at Tomingley, Promisorio came from near last to reach the lead close to home and win by a half length from Work And Chat (Maddison Wright, $3.20) and Haven't We All (Alan Barton, $3.50).
A four-year-old chestnut mare, Promisorio is now owned by Tamara Burgers from Gilgandra. She is the partner of winning jockey Michael Gray
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Meanwhile, Parkes jockey Michael Hackett remained in an induced coma on Monday following Saturday's race fall at the Tomingley picnic meeting.
Three jockeys were hospitalised after the fall, but Hackett was the most serious.
He was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital and remains there, Racing NSW reporting he was stable in an induced coma on Monday morning.
The well-known jockey underwent surgery on Saturday night following critical head injuries and family remains at his side.
Ricky Blewitt and Michael Gray were also hospitalised, the former in Westmead and the latter in Dubbo.
Narromine-based Blewitt has stable in-displaced thoracic spine fractures and Racing NSW reported he will rest for six weeks to heal.
He also has a scapula fracture that will be treated with a sling and a rib fracture that requires rest and conservative management.
Racing NSW's Dr. David Duckworth reported Gray underwent an MRI scan on his cervical spine on Monday and if the results of that were clear he would be discharged from hospital early in the week.
Gray also suffered a fractured clavicle that will require surgery on Wednesday. He also has a wrist fracture and a thoracic spine fracture which requires rest to heal.
