Troy McCarney may work as a barrier attendant at central west race meetings but he was seen in a different role at Dubbo Turf Club on Friday.
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McCarney was the trainer of Texas Lil, who scored one of the most surprising wins seen at the track in some time.
Starting as the rank outsider at $151, Texas Lil came from midfield with a big run down the outside to win by more than a length from Sparky Girl (Mathew Palmer, $9.50) and the $3.30 favourite Empowerment (Mathew Cahill).
It was a fine performance in the saddle from Angela Cooper, who is apprenticed to her father Dubbo trainer Myron Cooper, and it was her 11th career victory.
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Five-year-old mare Texas Lil's win was also just the second for Narromine-based trainer McCarney.
The previous winner was Sophie's Choice in a Maiden Handicap at Bourke Picnics in 2019, and therein lies an interesting tale.
Sophie's Choice was nearing the end of her racing career for McCarney while, unknown to central west racegoers, her four-year younger half-brother appeared on the scene and started winning races in Queensland.
That particular galloper was Alligator Blood, who has won nine races from 15 starts, and the record includes victory in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, a race carrying prizemoney of $1 million.
Alligator Blood is by All Too Hard from Lake Superior, while Sophie's Choice is by Conatus from Lake Superior
As the reputation of Alligator Blood continued to escalate, part-time trainer and shearer McCarney started fielding a stream of offers from studs to buy the half sister.
Instead, McCarney chose to keep the mare and Sophie's Choice now has a rising yearling by Great Choice which stands at stud for Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson.
McCarney's win on Friday was one of the highlights of a meeting headlined by a winning treble for Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor.
Nestor won with Ostracised ($1.75 favourite), Super Chance ($3.10 fav.), and Lonely Power ($4.20) on Friday to continue what has been a stellar season.
There was also success for fellow Dubbo trainers Clint Lundholm and Dar Lunn, who won with long-time maiden She's No Princess ($4.40) and the in-form Classy Rebel ($2 favourite) respectively.
The other four races on the bumper 10-race card were won by trainers from Scone.
Stephen Jones won with All The Shops ($18), Darren Egan saluted with Fifteen Rounds ($5), wet track specialist Reach Beyond ($6.50) won for Scott Singleton, and Will Freedman took out the final race with Blue Tattoo ($9).