That came as a surprise to both him and everyone watching on because his filly was paying $71 for the victory in the Parkes feature event.

The Eglinton trainer-driver loomed up to the outside of stablemate Gabbys Sportstar ($2.50 favourite, David McKenzie) to take the quinella, but definitely not in the order he would have imagined.

Gabbys Ideal had been sitting behind stablemate and leader Gabbys Sportstar for the entire race, with Caribbean Jack sitting in the death.

Both McKenzie and Caribbean Jack's driver Mat Rue had the whip out midway through the turn for home but Hurst hadn't had to make a move.

Gabbys Ideal had plenty of space to peel out thanks to the fading Caribbean Jack and the front pair put 10 metres back to the rest of the field.

Hurst finally began to work his American Ideal filly harder when making the move around her more experienced half brother.

She went on to win by a half neck in an exciting showcase for the mother of the one-two finishers, Gabrielle Solis.

"She just relaxed and travelled really well the whole way. Around the last bend I was thinking that she was going to be tough to hold out," Hurst said of his winning filly.

"I was a little bit surprised but she has been going pretty well. As she's getting older she's getting a bit stronger, and she raced against the older horses in that race so it's good to see her stepping up and race like that.

"It's definitely the best she's ever gone so we're really happy with her."

Gabbys Ideal was one of four runners for Hurst in the race, and the trainer considered her a fair outside chance to figure in the finish from gate four.

"I didn't know whether to put her in that race or not," Hurst said.

"Me and my wife Angela talked about it and she thought that she could be competitive so we put her in."

Hurst will be hoping to see more success come his way at this Wednesday night's meeting at Bathurst Paceway where he fields three runners.

Sharp Shooter shapes up as another outside shot for Hurst in the opening race, although Im Major Harry and The Donny are tipped to be decent chances in their events.

Hurst rates his Auckland Reactor gelding The Donny as the one to watch.

"He's been thereabouts in his races. He probably needs a little bit of luck from his draw but he looks like picking up one of these races soon," he said.

The meeting gets underway from 5.12pm.