WHILE Amanda Turnbull was left disappointed after Obi One was defeated in his heat of Soldiers Saddle series, when it came to the final of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club's feature on Friday night she could not have been happier.
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After using his speed out of the gate to cross from barrier eight and take the lead, Obi One dictated terms as he went on to win for the The Lagoon trainer-driver by a convincing eight-metre margin.
Dazzle Me, who was a $2.60 equal favourite with the eventual winner after being one of two heats winners, had to settle for fourth for Dubbo trainer Barry Lew.
Obi One clocked a 1:55.0 mile rate over the 1,730 metres trip - the second fastest in the history of the the saddle final - as he made amends for being nudged out by a half neck in his heat nine days earlier.
"He went wonderful," Spunky Syndicate manager Jenny Turnbull said.
"Amanda was a little bit disappointed last time, but tonight he went super."
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It marked the fifth time Turnbull has driven the winner of the Soldiers Saddle Final, Obi One's victory adding to that of Avonnova (2010), Mavrick (2012), Happy To Go (2015) and Eliza Dushku (2017).
The horse which denied Obi One in his heat - Barry Lew's Dazzle Me - shared favouritism for the final and again looked like the biggest threat to Turnbull's chance.
After briefing occupying the one-one, the John O'Shea Dazzle Me rolled up on the bell to sit in the death seat.
But when Turnbull asked Obi One to up the tempo through a 26.9 second third sectional, it shook off the challenge of his rival.
Dazzle Me had entered the straight in second spot but faded late missed the placings.
Obi One cruised home to win over Ziggy Rocks ($18) while Pacman Hammer ($81) came from the rear to nab third.
The victory was the lone success for Amanda Turnbull on Friday.