The Inverell pacer – trained by Col Hobday – was handled in the race by reinsman Tom Ison, who also received The Pub Sponsored Drive of the Night for his accomplished driving skills.

“She has been racing well and just needed a little luck,” Hobday said post-race.

“I am real happy with the win – Tom [Ison] has been driving her all season.”

The win also gave Hobday, 77, a boost when he recalled a trackwork accident just over twelve months ago, where he sustained six broken ribs and two crushed vertebrae.

“I had a bad fall – and I just have to be careful now,” he added.

With Bassey (Sam Ison) leading the field, Western Safari ($4.20) was three-back on the marker pegs while McQueen Regal (Courtney Sutherland) raced out in the breeze.

“She takes a while to wind up, but she is a tough little thing,” Tom Ison said.

“She was three-back the fence and at the 600m mark I got out and she just flew past them – she went super.”

Ison made his move up the back straight on the final occasion to race away from the field for a 13.6m win over Penny A Packet and Zippa Model a further 4.1m away in third.

“There is definitely more wins coming – she is a nice little mare and she will step through the grades,” he added.

Western Safari clocked a handy 1.58.6 for the 1609m.

Hobday races Western Safari with his daughter Julie and the mare has produced a win and two placings from four starts for the duo.

The Weidemann team dominated the card with trainer Julie preparing a winning treble.

Julie produced a dazzling drive to steer Irishtown Babe ($4.50) to a thrilling success in the Lounges Plus Half Yearly Clearance Pace (1980m).

Irishtown Babe took full advantage of a split in the home straight to down $2.90 favourite Pirates Pearl.

“She was travelling strong,” Julie said.

“A bit of a split came and we took it. All the old blokes will tell you the quickest way home is on the fence.”

Julie’s niece Stacey was in the sulky as Aussie Vista justified her favouritism in the opening Jumping Castles For You Pace (1980m).

Aussie Vista was sent out the $2.10 favourite after dropping back in grade and controlled proceedings on the way to her ninth win from 57 career starts.

“She went good – not too bad at all,” Stacey said.

Lola, the sister of Julie and aunty of Stacey, did not miss out on the fun, getting in on the winning act when Fours Enuf ($3.50) denied Mirthy’s Magic ($4.30).

The margin in the Dome Financial Group Pace (1980m) was a head as Fours Enuf sustained a tough run.