THERE was no surprise when it came to the winner of the second Highway Handicap (1,200 metres) race at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as the favourite saluted, but when it came to the third placed runner it was a very different story.
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The horse which placed a 3.1 lengths third to Princess Cordelia ($3) was the $101 long shot Tale Of The Kraut from the stable of Bathurst trainer Dean Mirfin.
Saturday's race marked the four-year-old's debut for Mirfin, having previously been trained at Cowra by Danny Parsons.
First up after a 28-week spell and with just one win from her 11 prior starts, the Trusting x Maid Of Antrim mare was the rank outsider of the 13-horse field.
She was not expected to feature for Bathurst trainer who is closing in on 100 career wins - his tally stands at 91 - and while not being able to upset the favourite, did much better than predicted.
Though Tim Clark was able to slip through on the inside from gate nine to take the lead early on with Princess Cordelia, Tale Of The Kraut began well with Jay Ford in the saddle.
Positioned a head off the pace outside the favourite with 600m to go, Tale Of The Kraut continued to fight after they entered the straight.
Princess Cordelia kicked and went on to win as expected, but it was not until the final 50m that Congregate ($5.50) managed to run past Tale Of The Kraut to claim second. It is the second time the mare has placed third over the distance.