Casey Waddell was one of the very few people who felt confident about the result in Tuesday's opening race at Dubbo Turf Club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The apprentice jockey got Jungle Rush to lunge late but it still took a photo to decide the winner in a thrilling three-way go in the Ritchie Bros Christmas Race Meeting Class 1 and Maiden Plate (2210m).
Arcadia Power ($14) seemed to be in the best position along the rails late on and while Leather Jacket Lew ($3.80) ran home well through the middle of the track it was Jungle Rush ($7.50) on the extreme outside who was announced the winner to the delight of veteran Wellington trainer Jim McMillan.
"I was having my fingers crossed but I had an inkling I got it," Waddell told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the race.
READ ALSO:
Tuesday marked the first time Waddell had ridden for McMillan and it also marked the first time Jungle Rush had been stretched out beyond 2000m.
Waddell settled deep in the field early on as Forever Spotted ($1.95 favourite) took the lead and set the pace from Leather Jacket Lew.
Arcadia Power also pushed forward but it was the favourite who held the lead for much of the trip while at the back of the field Moculta Warrior ($51) ran a little wayward wide on the track and was retired from the race by jockey James Rogers.
Forever Spotted continued to lead as the field turned for home but the challengers quickly made their intentions clear.
Leather Jacket Lew appeared the main threat around the outside but leading jockey Mathew Cahill got Arcadia Power to click and a little further back Waddell got Jungle Rush to wind up.
The race was far from certain heading into the final few metres as Jungle Rush made an almighty lunge and that proved the difference as the five-year-old secured career win number two.
"He was a little keen at the start and it was his first time over the distance but he settled really well at the end," Waddell said.
"First ride for Jim and a win."
Leather Jacket Lew nabbed second from Arcadia Power while favourite Forever Spotted had to settle for fourth.
There was no such problem for the favourite in the second event of the day as the Brett Robb-trained Silver Scissors got the job done with relative ease.
The $3.60 favourite led from virtually start-to-finish to win the Wayne Mallison Painter and Decorator Maiden Plate (1310m) by almost three lengths.
"The last run was good but she was looking for a little further," Robb said post-race, Silver Scissors having run fourth over 1000m at Orange last time out.
"We saw this race coming up and we thought it would be a good one for her."
Foxwell ($4.20) and Smooth Esprit ($5) filled the minor placings.
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.
