It had been a long time coming but Sue Grills finally got to celebrate a feature win with Under The Thumb on Sunday.
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A supremely talented sprinter, Under The Tumb had enjoyed no luck in recent times and made the trip to Dubbo and the $50,000 Iron Jack Flying Handicap (1100m) having not won since February of last year.
But under the riding of Greg Ryan the seven-year-old gelding delivered, powering home through the middle of the track to overhaul Thermosa ($4.60) and Kenny Succeed ($12) to score victory.
"It's been a long time since he's won but he's honest and he always places," Tamworth trainer Grills said after the win.
"He's been very unlucky but it was a great ride today.
"I was a bit confident he'd run well because he always does. He just doesn't win very often."
Under The Thumb had placed in Highway events in the city in the past and headed to Dubbo having run second in the Tamworth Rush (1200m) last time out.
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With Ryan onboard, he jumped a $11 chance from out in gate 10 on Sunday.
The Darren Hyde-trained Westlink, despite drawing gate 13, was all the rage leading into the race and started a $2.15 favourite.
Hyde's Country Championships finalist settled midfield and Ryan sat just behind him while the Kody Nestor-trained Kenny Succeed set the pace.
Dream Of Ascot and Thermosa, trained at Nyngan by Rodney Robb, stalked the leader.
Robb's hope pushed level with Kenny Succeed as they entered the straight and then took control, while Ryan found space in the middle of the track and also got Under The Thumb moving forward.
Under The Thumb produced a mighty last 200m to overhaul the leaders and win by half-a-length from Thermosa and Kenny Succeed.
Good Time Charlie ($18), a new addition to the Clint Lundholm stables who initially started the race as an emergency, produced a fine run home to finish fourth and ensure himself one to keep an eye on moving forward.
But the honours belonged to Under The Thumb after a fifth career win from 34 starts.
The victory was one of four on the day for Ryan, as well.
He had earlier saluted with Nestor's $1.75 favourite Fast Talking in the Western Star Hotel Class 3 Showcase Handicap (1600m), the gelding following up a victory at Wellington on debut for the Dubbo trainer with a commanding showing.
Ryan then piloted Steamin' to victory in the $100,000 Dubbo City Toyota Dubbo Gold Cup (1600m) before rounding out the day by saluting with the Lundholm-trained Bold Lady.
Bold Lady won the Regional Australian Bank Country Magic Class 2 Showcase Plate (1100m).
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
