Vergels Girl started from the rear of the field but blitzed the competition to win the $3060 Val Lew, Peter Gibson, Ron Hoy, Jack Shanks DHRC Patrons Pace (2120 metres) on Saturday.
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The John O’Shea-trained and driven mare had no competition as she raced home to finish 18 metres clear at the Dubbo Harness Racing Club.
Nathan Hurst’s Tulhurst Stacey ($5.30, Angela Hedges) was a distant second to the $3.40 pre-race favourite, with Karloo Quade ($30.70, Martin Simmons) just a head behind in third.
As the field lined up, everybody on the front row wanted to take the lead but it was Rays Choice ($5.90, Jake Davis) who beat them to it. Further back O’Shea was happy to bide his time at the rear of the field.
Homestead Lad ($7, Mitch Hutchings) saw his chances disappear when he checked and broke, sending him way back to the tail of the field.
Karloo Quade led as they covered the first half of the last mile in 62.3 seconds but he was soon joined by Vergels Girl.
O’Shea’s mare had her nose in front but as they completed the third quarter in 30.7, she began to open up a big lead.
She rounded the final bend with a comfortable margin and cruised across the finish line with a speedy quarter of 28.6, for a mile rate of 2:01.7. Tulhurst Stacey made a late run to snatch second from Karloo Quade.
O’Shea capped his night with a win in the fourth race, the $3060 TAB Pace (1720m) with Little Mojo ($2.50). The gelding won by 22 metres from Limbo Larry ($19.70, Graham Betts).
