WILLIEWA Lightning has doubled his prizemoney in the space of just a single race after taking out Tuesday night's Medlyns Castrol Gig Series Final (2,040 metres) at Parkes.
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The Greg Rue-trained and driven Williewa Lightning ($8) came into the race as one of several contenders yet to pick up a career win, but a start from the inside gate gave the Armbro Operative gelding a great chance to change that fact.
Rue waited until the final lap to duck into the outside line and successfully hunt down race favourite Arama Reactor ($2.80) in the run for home.
"He's been very consistent leading up to the win. He didn't handle the track that good but he went good enough to win it," Rue said.
"He had a soft run and had plenty left. He hasn't had many starts but he had a lot of problems from when he was two to now, so I'm very happy for the owner George Williams. He's spent a lot of time and money on him.
"We pass him through his grades and he'll probably make a start at the next Bathurst meeting."
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The start to Tuesday's race was a messy one, as Rocky Leigh galloped out to the back of the field and Redbank Tommy broke stride on the opening turn to hold up the pack.
It was a dream scenario for favourite Arama Reactor who slipped through the cracks to reach the front with ease.
Arama Reactor and Grand Meadow went well clear of the scattered field in the first half lap, with Williewa Lightning leading the chasers.
Eventually the field came back together after a lap's racing but for any horse not named Arama Reactor a win was going to be a tough ask due to the slacking pace.
There was no change to the front three runners at the bell.
Sky Magic was at the head of the outside line but racing three back next to Williewa Lightning.
That could have spelt danger for Williewa Lightning if he was left pocketed on the pegs but when Sky Magic failed to match the increasing pace it left Rue the space he needed to make the charge.
With a kick around the outside turn he blew past Grand Meadow and caught up to Arama Reactor with ease.
Rue hardly had to move on board Williewa Lightning as he soared home to win by 7.6m.
There were mixed results for Bathurst competitors in the night's other feature events.
Rubies For Tash was too strong for Bernie Hewitt's Write About Lexy and Mat Rue's Misterfreeze in the Langlands Hanlon Parkes Sprint.
Oberon's David Reynolds claimed victory in the Club Menangle Country Series Heat with Sports Runna.
Emma Turnbull had a winning drive on Karinya Rocco in the Terry Brothers Local Cup for Gary Eyre.
