ROYAL Story flew away on the final turn of Wednesday night's Soho Valencia Red Ochre Heat (2,260 metres) and looked certain to salute as a short-priced favourite.
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That was until Jeradas Delight ($6) made a race of it.
Bernie Hewitt and Royal Story ($1.40) had to push hard to see off the challenge by Mark Hewitt's runner and only did so by a head.
The close finish for Hewitt's former Breeders Challenge champion didn't bother the Georges Plains trainer.
"She was probably a bit fresh and hasn't had a story for a couple of weeks," he said.
"She felt really good but just got a little bit tired over the last 100 metres. I'm still really happy with her."
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Royal Story made a mid-race move to take up the running, then still had plenty of energy to burn her opponents in the mares event.
Jeradas Delight was the only runner to take it to the favourite and may have had her measure with around 20 more metres of racing.
Bernie Hewitt filled out the remainder of the top four with Scarlet Babe ($26, Doug Hewitt) and Ima Black Beauty ($61, Jason Hewitt), but both were more than 16 metres off the pace.
The following race, the Tooheys New Pace (1,730m), saw one of the most exciting finishes ever seen at the Bathurst Paceway.
The top four runners all finished within a head of each other with Sabrage ($16) holding on for a win.
Hewitt finished with three winners at the meeting (We Salute You, College Chapel) with Shane and Lauren Tritton took out the final two races on the night (Colossal Stride, Major Bob).
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
