When Pepita made her debut for Peter Stanley last month and ran seventh on debut at Dubbo Turf Club there weren't too many who sat up and took note.
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But Stanley did.
The veteran trainer liked what he saw as the small mare fought on well late along the rails in what was a cramped field.
He liked what he saw last week as well as at another Dubbo meeting but it also finished with a seventh-placed finish.
But on Monday at Warren as Pepita delivered on the potential Stanley knew she had.
Pepita took out the first of the day at Warren and District Jockey Club, the Marks Partnership Maiden Plate (1400m).
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It was her first win in 22 career starts but was just her third race for Stanley after previously calling the Canberra stables Mike Petrovic home.
"She actually had a better run at Dubbo last week," Stanley told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win.
"She hit the line there but she's so small no-one noticed on the inside. But I did."
The win was also another for the Stanley trainer-jockey and father-daughter combination.
Ashleigh had the ride and followed her father's instructions to a tee.
She had ridden the mare at both Dubbo starts and while a clear run was hard to find there it was no problem at Warren.
Pepita ($17) settled well back in the field on Monday as the Kody Nestor-trained Private Poet (Liam Blanch, $4.20 favourite) set the pace from Cinders (Georgina McDonald, $19).
They led the way for much at the trip but as the bend for home approached Stanley had started to make her move and she peeled wide on the turn and found nothing but clear air in front of her through the middle of the track.
Fiveash (Clayton Gallagher, $12) had taken control from Lucky Lucia (Ronald Simpson, $4.40) but Pepita had plenty in the tank over the final stages and went on to win by a length in what was another Warren highlight for one of the region's stalwarts.
"I've won a couple of Cotton Cups and few maidens so I've had a bit of luck here," Stanley, who has moved his stables from Bathurst to Wellington in recent times, said.
"It's a good little track."
Fiveash was second for Terry Fulwood while Brett Thompson's Godfrey Park (Greg Ryan, $4.60) ran home well to nab third from stablemate Lucky Lucia.
Thompson went that bit better when scoring a quinella in the next event.
Amy's Shadow ($1.70 favourite) was an eye-catching winner of The Overflow Maiden Handicap (1000m) while Riders In The Stand ($9, Gallagher).
Amy's Shadow missed the start but motored home along the rails under a strong ride from apprentice Simpson.
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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.
