HE had to contend with a tricky barrier 10 draw, but when driver Nathan Turnbull heard the favourite had been scratched from Bathurst's Three Year Old Pace on Wednesday night, he was confident Bettor Jiggle could feature.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was well placed confidence as Bettor Jiggle swept to the lead at the top of the home straight and went on to take the honours in the 1,730 metres contest.
The Josh Turnbull trained colt had been in handy form in the lead up to Wednesday's race at the Bathurst Paceway, with a pair of victories and a second in his four most recent runs.
That had Nathan Turnbull hopeful Bettor Jiggle could feature in spite of a barrier 10 draw, but his confidence grew when Balraj was declared as a late scratching.
In the absence of Balraj, a son of Art Major who was set to make his Australian debut, Bettor Jiggle was backed into $1.80 favouritism.
"I sort of gave him a chance, with the favourite in it first up from New Zealand I knew nothing about it," the driver said.
"But when it got scratched I got really confident.
"He had a tricky draw, but we had options. He could go up into the death or stick in the running line.
"They were running along solid enough, so I decided to stay in that running line."
As Turnbull indicated, he was happy enough to sit in the running line early as the leaders set a good tempo ahead of him.
Backintown and Phizzwizard pushed that pace as they jostled for the lead after the green light was given.
From barrier eight Backintown began well, but Phizzwizard kicked up on his inside and pulled a length clear.
But Backintown's driver Jack Trainor was keen to have the lead, so popped off the pegs and pushed forward before crossing to take front spot as the bell sounded.
Into the back straight Backintown led by three-quarters of a length over Alta Downs with Phizzwizard in the trail, but as they rolled past the 600m mark Turnbull came hunting with the favourite.
Bettor Jiggle worked three and four wide on a sweeping run and as he balanced at the top of the straight, he had the lead.
Want a discounted subscription to follow Bathurst sport this winter? Click here
While Mitch Turnbull pulled Phizzwizard into the sprint lane to make a challenge, Bettor Jiggle was too strong.
He won by 2.4m over Backintown ($10) in a 1:56.4 mile rate, with Phizzwizard ($5.50) a further 1.4m back in third.
That victory took Bettor Jiggle's record to four wins and eight placings from 17 starts this season. He will now be aimed at the NSW Breeders Challenge series.
Nathan Turnbull finished the meeting with a double as he also drove Sophie Brown ($1.55 favourite) to victory.