WITH 600 metres to go in Wednesday night's Bling It On Pace (1,730 metres) and the three front runners kicking clear of her outsider The Handsome One, Erika Dwyer did not look much of a chance of notching up win.
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But Dwyer did not give up on her $34 chance and that determination was rewarded with the first win of her driving career.
Prior to Wednesday's Bathurst Harness Racing Club meeting, the most recent success for The Handsome One came at Parkes in February.
In the 15 starts the Carribean Blaster x To Live For gelding had since then, his best finish was a 4.9m third at Dubbo. It meant not many people expected the three-year-old from Darrell Dwyer's stable to feature.
Going from barrier one, The Handsome One was crossed early. Erika Dwyer settled him three back on the pegs as $2.50 favourite Courage Lips led the way.
When Courage Lips, Allegretto and Tulhurst Lover all kicked after a 64 seconds first half, it looked as if it would be a battle of three.
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But Dwyer, in just her fifth career drive, got The Handsome One motoring and as they hit the bend he'd caught the lead trio.
Sweeping three wide he continued to make up ground and though Tulhurst Lover had taken over in the lead, Nathan Hurst's mare could not hold on.
With 50m to go The Handsome One hit the front and went on to win by 1.4m over Tulhurst Lover with Courage Lips a further 4.4m back in third.
It was also a good night for Justin Reynolds and Jason Turnbull, who both steered winning doubles.
Turnbull took out the first two races of the meeting, saluting with Rusty McCool ($6) for Eglinton trainer Peter Keogh then steering the Wayne White trained Jerulas Grin to victory as the $1.80 favourite.
Reynolds, who last month drove his first metropolitan winner, picked up his double with Headline Hunter ($3.80) and Jerula Josie ($31).
