The Dunedoo-based trainer was optimistic about Karinya Connie’s chances going into the Ladbrokes Red Dog Bonus Best 8 Stakes (318 metres), despite the bitch being an outside chance at $11.00.

Her trainer had been less than impressed at drawing box six, a spot she had never won from.

But Portelli was confident she could cross the line first if she jumped well.

She did just that, taking a convincing two-length win in 18.17 seconds ahead of the favourite King Taro ($3.00) and Baracca Keeping ($9.00).

“That was a hot field. Very hot,” Portelli said.

“I’m very happy.”

It was a head-to-head race between Karinya Connie and King Taro.

The favourite benefited from box one but it was the outsider that emerged in the lead as they ran along the back straight.

She set a blistering pace over the sprint distance, and was able to maintain her lead on the run to line.

It continued a strong run of form for the El Grand Senor x Pushbutton Magic bitch, and marked her 14^th win in as many months.

She has now won from every starting position except for box five, with four of her 14 victories coming from box eight.

The victory brings her career prize money to more than $12,000.

“She’s my first dog that I’ve had. We love her,” Portelli said.

There was no such success for Portelli’s other runner of the day – Secret Top – which finished second last in the Thank You Ladbrokes Stakes (400m).

In the main event of the day, Brad Hill Billy trounced the rest of the field in the Les Dawson Memorial Best 8 Stakes (516m).

The $2.75 favourite jumped poorly from box five and trailed the rest of the field from the word go.

But the Kinloch Brae x Break Even dog recovered quickly and as the field entered the first turn he began to make his move.

He found his stride on the back straight and moved from fifth to first on the final bend, opening up a two-and-a-quarter length margin as he crossed the finish line in 29.62s.

It was victory number 31 for the Raymond Smith-trained dog.

Kilkee May ($6.00) ran in second, with Dandy Jack ($3.75), also trained by Smith, running in a further two-and-a-quarter lengths behind.

It was a good day out at Dawson Park for Smith, who also enjoyed wins through Midnight Treat ($3.00 favourite) in the Dubbo RSL Stakes (516m) and Big Daddy Bee ($6.50) in the Thank You Ladbrokes Stakes (400m).