Some go months – or even years – in search of victory in the racing game, but that was not the case for Raymond Smith’s Irinka Franky Dawson Park on Friday.
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The Irinka Luca x Irinka Alice dog won in his first start, a wide seven box draw proving no obstacle in the Wayne Mallison Painting Maiden (400 metres).
The oldest in the field despite having the fewest starts, Irinka Franky ($3.60) surged away to a length and a half lead over Paul Braddon’s Candy Willow ($3.90) and Daniel Hoskins’ Karinyah Jane ($27.50).
He slowed slightly at the turn and Braddon’s chaser made up some ground, but back on the straight Irinka Franky pulled clear to win in a handy 23.54 seconds.
Candy Willow finished 1.75 lengths behind in second while Karinyah Jane was five lengths back in third.
Smith’s other starter Inversion, who started the race as $2.20 favourite, trailed Winlock Lisa to finish fifth more than 11 lengths off the pace.
The win brings Irinka Franky’s career prize money to $830 after just one start, and the late starter has big shoes to fill.
Sire Irinka Luca earned $46,600 in prize money before his retirement, boasting a 44 per cent win rate with 23 wins from 52 starts.
The win was the first of three for Smith on the night.
Public Speaking ($1.60 favourite) dominated the mixed grade Coolabah Goat Company 0-3 Win Stakes (516m), winning in 29.87, before Freaky Franky won the Hogs Breath Dubbo Stakes (400m) by six lengths.
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