FANCY Lola showed her connections she can win from an outside draw but that hasn't changed them wanting a box closer to the rails in the Peg and Bill Miller Memorial Final (516m) this Thursday.
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The Kinloch Bale x Flash Fancy bitch scorched around the Dawson Park circuit to claim the first heat of the series, recording a time of 23.75s as she accounted for track record holder Long Range in the first prelude.
A week prior Fancy Lola had finished third behind the David Pringle-trained Long Range as it set a new benchmark of 29.63s but with a bit of luck on her side she was able to turn to the tables in the first of four heats conducted on Thursday.
From box seven Fancy Lola ($12.60) was away evenly and was in third place through the first section, and her wide draw paid dividends as she avoided the carnage that came on the first turn which ultimately shot Buzzwagon ($11.70) out the back of a pack and put that dog out of contention.
Long Range ($2.10 fav) suffered minor interference in the scrimmage but by that time Fancy Lola had shot around the field to assume the lead.
Despite Long Range getting within striking distance as the field approached the home turn he was unable to run down the Dennis Barnes-trained bitch, which had two-and-three-quarter lengths to spare on the line.
Bad Boy Sniper ($16.60) was a further three-and-a-quarter lengths away in third, with the heavily-supported Mo Keeping fourth after being interfered with in the early stages.
Thursday's win was the third of Fancy Lola's career, and kennel representative Chris Spratt said he's hopeful the fourth will come in next week's $10,000 final.
"She's a good honest dog who just tries every time she goes around," Spratt said.
"Last week she didn't have a lot of luck when Long Range ran the track record but he went well and good luck to him.
"Today was our day and the good thing was she showed us that she can win from an outside box.
"Every other time she's drawn outside she hasn't had much luck as she likes to find the rails but she did it today. We'd still prefer an inside draw for the final and if she gets that she should be competitive."
The Dubbo club will race again on Monday before the rich finals day is held on Thursday.