Coonamble's Country Showcase meeting on Sunday got off to a perfect start for Connie Greig as Benoni took out the Woodham Petroleum Maiden Showcase Handicap.
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The opening race at Coonamble proved to be a good one as the Good 4 track provided some fast racing.
Benoni ($69.10) came into the race after a race at Forbes on Saturday fresh and ready to go for Greig and jockey Madeline Owen.
It was Angela Sistina ($) trained by Cameron Crockett who got out to the early lead ahead of the pack out of the jump and remained there until the last 500 metres.
From there it was anyone's race as several jockeys attempted to back moves to catch Angela Sistina but Owen timed her run to perfection slicing her way through the middle of the back to narrowly win the race.
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Derek Piper's Girragulang finished back in second place ahead of Angela Sistina followed by He's Purring.
After the race, Greig told Sky Thoroughbred Central she was extremely surprised by the run.
"She didn't have a run yesterday," she said.
"So she had a run at Forbes.
"She raced yesterday and got a second then had a run overnight.
"She ate up and pulled up well so she's here.
"I cannot believe it."
Owen also told Sky Thoroughbred Central, she felt it was an unexpected result.
"After riding on the horse before I noticed she likes the distance," she said.
"She does want to back up which is unusual but obviously it was a good warm-up for her for today."
Owen had ridden Benoni before at Warren and knew something special could be close.
"She gave me a really good feel that day, to be honest," she said.
"Off that form, I thought she would be competitive here today.
"I just had to ride her like she was the favourite and she got the job done today."
Akaka Falls was too strong in the second race of the day the Qube Agri Maiden Showcase Plate for Coonabarabran trainer Glenn Frazer. Clint Lundholm's The Big Seal got a strong jump out of the gates to lead the pack for the bulk of the race.
However, in the last 400 metres, Akaka Falls ($2.60) kicked away to breeze past the leader to take the win quite comfortably ahead of The Big Seal who finished in second place.
Brett Robb grabbed his first win of the day with Bean Hot in the Paragon Pastoral Class 2 Showcase Handicap.
Bean Hot came home strongly to finish in first place ahead of Line of Kings trained by Cody Morgan. Hit The Rim trained by Lundholm finished in third place ahead of Pyrmont in fourth.
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