Wanda Ings' Pop Power keeps his perfect Gilgandra record intact with a photo finish victory

That's how far Wanda Ings' Pop Power ($19, Chelsea Ings) managed to get in front of Annie's Missile ($4.60 favourite, Tiffany Jeffries) during Saturday's Kate Smith Memorial Benchmark 50 Handicap (1,600 metres) at Gilgandra.

From a spectator's point of view it was virtually impossible to tell who had the advantage down the home stretch, since Annie's Missile was powering along the rails while Pop Power was launching his attack from out wide.

And, as race caller Col Hodges pointed out when the duo crossed the line, the deceptive TV angle of the winning post added to that uncertainty.

But after some close scrutiny from the stewards it was finally determined that Pop Power had done enough to finish a hair in front of his challenger.

Ings herself had a terrible view for trying to judge who had won the race, which left her on edge waiting for the result.

"I was actually standing head-on. I was at the other end of the birdcage, so when I saw him coming I thought that he was at least going to give it his best shot. It's a weird angle because it comes right back. The outside horses could sometimes have an advantage of half a length," she said.

"Even Col Hodges was saying the same, telling everyone that this could be closer than you think. It was lovely to see him win, and he really loves Gilgandra, this horse."

Pop Power has indeed enjoyed his limited exposure at Gilgandra, having won on both attempts at the track.

Saturday's victory was his third career win at start number 34.

His only other success came at Bathurst in September of 2020.

Ings said it's been nice to see Pop Power looking more like his old self after going through a series of challenges during his previous preparation.

"He had nearly a full prep that we weren't really disappointed in because he'd run a nice couple of races. I think he was almost getting a bit down on himself," she said.

"He was getting bottled up in fields and getting checked out of them. He'd twice made a run up the fence at Goulburn and got knocked around. I think the horse had nearly given himself depression because he just went off the boil.

"We tipped him out and started again. We wanted to see if we could get him back. That was his third start this time back in ... and you know when he's right because he's a real funny bloke and a bit of a character. He's turned a corner anyway.

"I said to Chelsea that once he does that he can put a few good races together. Let's hope he can do just that."

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