THE Speed Dial was cranked right up at the Dubbo Paceway on Wednesday night, with Bathurst's Robert Clifford and Tony Higgs combining to take out the HRNSW Rewards Series Heat (1,720 metres).
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It was a fitting win the Clifford-trained four-year-old mare Speed Dial, beginning from barrier four at start number four to break her maiden.
Having two starts last season for a fourth and second placing, Speed Dial then enjoyed an eight-month spell.
Resuming in December, Higgs took the drive in what was a strong first-up run for the mare, finishing a close fourth.
Higgs took the reins again on Wednesday night, with the $2 favourite able to get the job done.
Caught wide early, Higgs pushed forward with the mare to land outside of the leader.
With a controlled 62.9 seconds middle half, Speed Dial hit the front rounding the home bend with enough left in the tank to fight off the other fancied runner - Johanna Petronella ($3) for Wendy and Emma Turnbull.
"She went good, she's got as bit of ability and she's missed out on a couple of runs lately so it was good to see Rob get the win because he's done a lot of work with her," Higgs said.
"I was confident going into. The only one I was worried about was Emma's horse, she sat on me and had every chance to beat me, but Rob's horse was too good on the night.
"All credit goes to him and the horse, I just had to sit and steer."
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Holding on to win by 2.6 metres, the Mr Feelgood mare clocked a mile rate of 2:00.4 minutes.
Speed Dial will now go around in the HRNSW Rewards Series Final at Bathurst on Wednesday night and Higgs is hoping for a favourable gate.
"This day and age you really need a good draw, but she's very versatile so it shouldn't matter too much," Higgs said. "If she draws bad she can go back and come with one sprint at the end and still be right up there. In the grade she's in I think she'll be hard to beat."
Meanwhile, The Lagoon-based mother-daughter combination Monica and Phoebe Betts were successful in race six on the card, courtesy of pacer Abercrombie Tab.
Having not drawn barrier one since April last year, driver Phoebe Betts made the most of the advantageous starting position.
Using the seven-year-old's gate speed to get the upper hand, Betts went straight to the front and was able to lead all of the way over the 1,720m event.
This victory gave the Art Major gelding his 11th career victory.
