Driver Brett Miller was the toast of the town when the International All Star Series rolled into Echuca for night two, smashing a track record while claiming victory in the final two races of the night to catapult from equal second-last on the series leaderboard to third.
Consistent Victorian Chris Alford tops the leaderboard, boosted by his victory in the sixth leg of the series with an all-the-way win driving Dreamtime Spirit, who withstood a wave of late swoopers.
And Kerryn Manning took the first of the day –- the fifth in the All Stars series –- winning in teal on International Women’s Day with Millwood Pink Lady.
Miller turned his week around in the series’ seventh race, after A Few Dollars More trainer Neville Pangrazio assured him he could race the mare with confidence, despite having only her second start after a ninth placing at Melton more than 12 months prior.
“The trainer told me the horse I had been driving had been off for some time and that he had been trialling real good,” Miller said.
“He said ‘have you won a race here yet?’ I said ‘no’, and he said ‘you are going to win your first one here’.”
From barrier one Miller shot A Few Dollars More to the lead, and when compatriot Corey Callahan guided Uwillneva Get This past him, Miller was happy to take the box seat.
A Few Dollars More then dashed clear from the final corner to win by 5.7m for an overjoyed group of owners, with Callahan holding second and Jason Lee guiding Kadaminy to third.
Miller said his confidence was fuelled by the win, and when Michael Mannix -– trainer of his race eight drive Ace Duigan -– told him the horse could be lazy, well that was music to Miller’s ears.
“I always felt like in my career I always do best with lazy horses,” Miller said.
“Going into the last race I had a lot of confidence of winning that race. It took me a long time to make the front, but as soon as he made the front the horse was real comfortable and I thought to myself this horse has got a shot to win now.”
Miller led Ace Duigan through a frenetic 37.9 lead time.
“Before I got over, I thought ‘uh oh’, this is going to be suicide here. As soon as I crossed over my horse’s ears went up, he looked around, and my experience with racehorses is that when they do that that means they are doing it very easy.”
Ace Duigan just kept on giving, finishing his track record breaking 1:57.2 mile with a 29.4 final quarter that saw him win by 6.8m from a blanket finish, with Alford claiming second driving Wheres Bub.
The thrilling racing capped a memorable day for the International All Stars, who toured horse stud Alabar Farms, savoured some fine local fare at Morrison’s Riverview winery and restaurant and then hit the lanes for some tenpin bowling.
The International All Star Series rolls on to Maryborough next, with races nine to 12.
International All Star Series day two leaderboard: Chris Alford, 61 points; Dexter Dunn, 60; Brett Miller, 58; Yannick Gingras, 56; Jason Lee, 56; Greg Sugars, 55.5; Kerryn Manning, 46.5; Corey Callahan, 46; Gavin Lang, 41; Anthony Butt, 33.
Overall leaderboard: Victoria, 260; World, 253.
(with files from HRV)