YOU could tell what Wednesday night's win at Bathurst Paceway on Toro Delago meant to Mitch Turnbull.
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The drive saluted to the crowd as he stormed to the front with 50m left to run in the Bourkes Horse Rugs Pace (1,730 metres), breaking through with the New Zealand import in his third Australian run.
The first two outings at Dubbo and Bathurst were luckless affairs for the Art Major gelding but in his most recent run Toro Delago ($3.70) scorched home to put those efforts behind him.
Turnbull knew Toro Delago had the race wrapped up inside the last 100 metres, running clear to win by three metres over Graham Betts' Dinosaurus Rex ($15).
Trainer Steve Turnbull plus son Mitch, of the Red n Blue Racing Syndicate, have high hopes that the seven-year-old can be a competitive runner.
He's the only foal to ever reach the racetrack for dam Shirley, and he's now equalled his mother's lifetime wins with number three.
Winning driver Turnbull said it was a great feeling to get the victory after a dismal start to his Australian career.
"I've been driving the horse since he came over from New Zealand and he had horrible luck in both those starts. Tonight he had super luck around the corner and sprinted well down the straight," he said.
"I'm really excited because the horse deserves to win a race. He's been doing so well and been so unlucky. Tonight he showed that he could do it.
"He was a cheap buy and we bought him just as another horse to race each week. He trialled really well and he's pretty well bred. Everything went correct for him today. Was good to get the job done."
Race favourite So Am I was quick to jump out to the lead while Toro Delago, starting from the inside of the second row, was able to follow out Carinya Gold to sit three back on the pegs.
So Am I looked the one to beat after taking a breather with a sluggish second quarter of 33.2 but the field behind were still eager to mount a challenge.
Punters Delight hooked out from the one-one and that gave Turnbull the space he needed to peel wide.
Toro Delago put the head down to motor past So Am I and stave off the challenge out wider from Dinosaurus Rex.
Charolais Shannon ($34, Tom Pay) finished third.
The winning mile rate was 2:01.1.
It takes Toro Delago's lifetime record to three wins and 16 placings from 35 starts.
"I knew I was going to have a good sprint in me and the frontrunners had done a lot of work early," Turnbull said.
"When I was pulling out wide there were two horses locking up wheels, so I thought I was going to be in trouble for a sec, but I was able to get out and around them."