It was a real family affair as Cameron Hart scored the biggest win of his career.
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The former Junee reinsman drove Western Secret to victory in the group two NSW Breeders Challenge Regional Final for three-year-old fillies at Riverina Paceway.
Trained in Junee by his uncle Trevor White and owned by his aunt Jeanette Mutimer, Hart was thrilled with her performance.
"I was a little bit worried early as there wasn't a ton of pace on but I was lucky to get a good cart up and she was just too quick in the end," Hart said.
Bouncing back from a disappointing display in the group one NSW Breeders Challenge final in June, Western Secret won her heat at Wagga last week before overcoming the inside of the second row draw to score a seven-metre win on Sunday.
It was the second attempt of the race after a nasty fall saw Graham Betts taken to hospital.
Having such family connections made it all the sweeter for Hart.
"It makes it even more special," he said.
"(Trevor) taught me everything I know."
Hart is making a habit of claiming feature wins on the new track after winning the Wagga Pacers Cup with Beetson for Bathurst trainer Peter Trevor-Jones in April.
It definitely makes the trip back to Sydney that little bit easier.
"I've had plenty of success here and I'm always happy to come back and drive at home," Hart said.
Meanwhile, Exeter trainer James Rattray kicked off the feature races with an impressive win with Operative Anna.
The two-year-old filly was a narrow winner of her heat and Penrith, but dictated in the final.
Moving into the lead early from gate seven, the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven went on to defeat Shezlikeroyalty by 6.8 metres.
It was her second win from four races.
"She has always shown a fair bit of ability, but was always maturing," Rattray said.
"She's a big girl."
He then backed it up with Jimartee taking out the two-year-old colts and geldings final.
The son of Sportswriter made it four wins from four starts since joining the Inter Dominion winners' stable as he led all the way.
He held off Saint Emilion to win by a neck.
The final of the group two features, the three-year-old colts and geldings final, was taken out by Victorian trainer Wayne Potter with Reigning Pepper who backed up a win at Wagga last week to down fellow heat winner Game Set Major by 2.2 metres.
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