NANDOR Junior held off a late charge from Torana One in a two-dog dash to the line at Kennerson Park on Monday to claim his 13th career victory.
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As he's done in the past, Ricky Brewer's Nandor Junior ($2.50) bolted out of the boxes but tired late in his run over the 520 metres, though he did enough to see off John Scott's Torana One ($4.80) by a length in the Million Dollar Chase Heats Here 7th Sept Stakes.
The leading pair put eight metres on the rest of the field, which was led home by Nandor Junior's kennel mate Cawbourne Slider ($10).
Brian O'Neale, part of Nandor Junior's large ownership group, said both the dog and his trainer have been wonderful.
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"He's a strong dog initially but he gets tired over the 500," he said.
"We only bought him three days ago because the other owners dissolved their partnership. There are around 10 of us who are in this syndicate, just a group of friends. He's won our first race for us so we're thrilled.
"Ricky and his partner Caitlyn are awesome. Two of nicest people you'll meet. Every dog that I have through our group we've given to Ricky and Caitlyn because that's how much we trust them.
"I've never give my dogs to anyone else."
It was an exciting start to the race for the Brewer kennel when Nandor Junior and Cawbourne Slider both got away fastest from the boxes.
Nandor Junior was able to cross Cawbourne Slider and built up a margin of more than five lengths on the field going into the back straight.
Torana One worked around Cawbourne Slider at the halfway point and began what looked like an impossible task of chasing down the leader.
But Nandor Junior noticeably began to drop the pace midway through the bend for home and Scott's runner looked like a winning chance.
Torana One managed to get his head alongside Nandor Junior's tail but the finish line arrived in time to ensure Brewer's dog would hold on for victory.
The winning time was 30.09 seconds - a new personal best at Bathurst.
Race favourite Miss Hyped Up ($2.30) finished last.
Later in the evening, Wellington trainer Samantha Ashman took out a third place finish with Crazy Lucy, with the slightly heavier dog unable to match the speed of Amanda Ginn's second place finisher Samshu or Rodney McDonald's winner Dana Looney.
Ashman will appear next at the Dubbo track on August 8, with Whiskey Nights, Midnight Diesel and Nerves of Zeal all set to line up.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
