Adira wove her way out of trouble to taste group three success at Riverina Paceway on Friday.
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After being beaten in her heat, Adira flew home after being trapped on the pegs to take out the NSW Breeders Challenge Western Region 3YO Fillies Final (1740m) by a head.
Driver Dean Cernovskis didn't think he was a winning hope as they turned for home but a little clear running was all Adira needed.
"She is just a lovely trier and it was always going to be an awkward draw," Cernovskis said.
"When she got out she felt like she had plenty of pace left but I thought we'd left our run too late but she really knuckled down in the last hundred, wanted to win and got the win."
Cernovskis only picked up the drive on Tuesday with Jackson Painting electing to drive stablemate Killara Missile, who finished seventh after racing without cover.
The Gunning horseman was more than happy to help out.
Adria won a semi-final of the group one series three starts ago before finishing eighth in the final.
After a tough trip in her heat last time out the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere had to settle to third.
Trainer David Kennedy was confident she was back to her best for the final.
"She was probably a little underdone last week as we gave her a break after the Breeders Challenge Final and she is definitely better when driven with a sit," Kennedy said.
"She showed her speed and it was good to see."
The filly has now won eight of her 12 starts since joining Kennedy.
Coming to the stable with only one placing in her previous eight starts, the Euroley trainer has been thrilled with the turnaround.
"She will go for a spell now as she has done a great job for the owners," he said.
Meanwhile Oberon trainer Wayne White had a memorable first trip to Wagga with Jerulas Grin blitzing his rivals to win the NSW Breeders Challenge Western Region 3YO Colts & Geldings Final (1740m) in track record time.
After Jason Turnbull made a mid-race move, Jerulas Grin found the front before leaving his rivals in his wake to win by 21.6 metres.
His mile rate of 1:51.6 shaved 0.2 seconds off the previous mark set by Star Major in October.
White couldn't believe the time set by the son of Grinfromeartoear, especially after a setback in preparation for the group three.
"It is awesome," White said.
"We've had a few hiccups with the horse between the heat and this final.
"I said to Jason he would be awesome if he had to be but hopefully he didn't have to. He was still awesome."
Steve Turnbull took out a thrilling finish to the two-year-old fillies final with Im Desirable just prevailing.
A head was all that separated the first four runners.