WHEN Emma Turnbull sat in the gig behind favourite Karinya Rocco on New Year's Eve punters knew she was a good chance of winning Parkes' Local Cup (1,660 metres), but even they would not have predicted what unfolded.
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After going from barrier five the $1.80 elect had to do an abundance of work in the death seat as early leader JoanandI ($35) produced a hot 58.5 seconds first half.
Given the Pet Rock x Karinya Jay Jay gelding was first up since finishing more than 22 metres off the pace at Menangle in July and only had two trials earlier in the month, he would have been forgiven for fading after that effort.
But when Turnbull asked the gelding to give down the back he responded for the The Lagoon driver.
He kicked clear of his rivals after a 29.7 third sectional and from there went on to win by a huge 16.6m margin. The minor placings were filled by Mark Hewitt's duo Mighty Joe ($34) and Smoken Alice ($23)
It was the second win of Karinya Rocco's three-start career and given the strength he showed, it is not likely to be the last that Turnbull and trainer Gary Eyre enjoy with him.
That made it a Parkes double for Turnbull, who began the meet by steering Ideal Flash ($3.60) to victory in the 2,040m pace for four-year-olds and up for her mother-trainer Wendy Turnbull.
The four-year-old mare won by a half head over Nathan Turnbull's Fumia Reactor ($5.50) to shed her maiden status in what was her 18th career run.
