Gracie Taltoa produced a big final burst to cause a boilover at Riverina Paceway on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
All eyes were on the return of group one winner Mister Rea, but the Junee filly ended the unbeaten start to his career.
Mister Rea won his first six races, including the Bathurst Gold Crown, but was just run down in his first start since a hoof issue derailed his NSW Breeders Challenge campaign.
Gracie Taltoa stalked him all the way from barrier one before getting the result in the final stride.
After a fourth at group two level, Gracie Taltoa disappointed last time out.
However reinsman Peter McRae was impressed with how she finished off this time around.
"She had a good draw and had a gun trip and they run good even sectionals which only helped us," McRae said.
"I was able to produce her for just 150 metres and she's got an electric turn of foot .
"She went terrific.
"Last week we were pretty disappointed with her but she revved up pretty bad and overraced but she certainly got the job done tonight."
Gracie Taltoa also set a new career best of 1:53.6 with her halfhead victory.
It was part of an early double for McRae and Trevor White after the Junee combination took out the first race with Imperious.
The five-year-old ended a drought of over two years with his 1.4-metre victory.
After being placed in five of his last six starts, McRae was pleased to finally break through.
"He has been super honest and deserved that win really," he said.
"He's been knocking on the door that's for sure but he also needed it."
Settling three back on the pegs from his inside of the second row draw, McRae was able to find a passage through as Imperious brought up his second career win.
Meanwhile, McRae is one of a number of Riverina participants heading to Bathurst on Wednesday in search of group three glory in the NSW Breeders Challenge Western Region Finals.
He and White have come up with barrier one in the three-year-old colts and geldings division with Defiant while Mainland Magic will start from three in the three-year-old fillies final.