As Tom Pay and Mat Rue made the trip from Bathurst to Club Menangle on Saturday they made a deal.
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They were heading to the metro track and would be going head-to-head in two races so if either was to win then a post-race handshake was in order.
Therefore, it was special and extremely satisfying for Pay when Rue drove up behind him to offer congratulations after his first city winner.
Dubbo's Pay, now based in Bathurst where he works for trainer-driver Rue, took out the Advion Products Pace (1609m) with $41 outsider Ziggy Rocks.
"I've watched the replay about 10 times and it's a thrill every time," Pay said on Monday.
"It's always good to drive one but it was a really good feeling and a night I won't forget."
Pay only had the two drives on the night, both for Rue, and while the breakthrough win was the undoubted highlight he also finished a handy third with Fouroeight later in the meeting.
He made the trip to Menangle having had "five or six" starts at the premier track in the past, some of those in the Rising Star series a number of years ago.
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While he hadn't much experience or success at the track before, Ziggy Rocks certainly had.
The Rue-trained gelding had raced at Menangle twice prior to Saturday and had won both times.
He made it three-from-three thanks to a surging finish on Saturday.
Visibility was an issue for Pay at the muddy track but he still got Ziggy Rocks to wind up and motor home on the extreme outside to win in the blistering mile-rate of 1:51.4.
That was the fastest time any horse of Rue's has won in, with the accomplished Fouroeight's best just fractionally slower at 1:51.5.
"He lobbed pretty well," Pay said of Ziggy Rocks after starting from gate eight and settling deeper in the field.
"He was one-out, two-back and they ran that first quarter quick, which suited us back markers.
"They turned into the straight and he pulled away. That last 100m was really good and he was the only one that made ground, the others all finished where they started."
Rue and $6.50 chance Callmequeenbee finished eighth after having to do plenty of work from gate 10.
But it was all about Ziggy Rocks, who now has six wins from 26 starts and continues to rise to whatever challenge is put in front of him despite not setting the world alight when he first started racing.
"I always drive him in trackwork and he's been working really well," Pay said.
"He was $41 but I knew if he got the right run he would be thereabouts.
"He's really excelled and he's one who keeps taking the next step. I don't think we've seen the bottom of him yet so he might keep improving."
Rue was in the gig of $6.50 hope Callmequeenbee and finished in eighth spot but still made sure to catch up with his good mate after everyone had passed the post.
The win might also bring Pay to the attention of numerous other high-profile trainers and boost his chances of more drives as two Group 2 races were contested on Saturday night.
The messages of congratulations were still pouring in on Monday and Pay said all the well wishes meant a lot.
He'll be back in the gig on Wednesday night when he drives Renee Dale and Captains Call at Bathurst Paceway.
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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.
