Towac Park's first event of the spring brought pleasing results for former Orange-based trainer Gary Portelli on Monday as Greg Ryan gave him a pair of wins in the first and fifth races of the day.
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After the veteran rider guided Last Eightyate ($5.50) to a victory to kick-off the day, he produced another winner in the $22,000 Epiroc Maiden Handicap (1400m) in the way of Autumn Falls as the $2 favourite saluted by two-and-a-half lengths.
The speed map touted the filly as a frontrunner and that assessment rang true in the opening exchanges as Ryan shot out from the sixth barrier to take an early lead before holding her back slightly to sit second after 400.
Portelli's three-year-old traded places with $2.70 prospect All Too Rio as the two favourites led the field from start to finish.
Ryan didn't move a muscle on the back of Autumn Falls when the convoy came around the bend and after she generated a one-length lead at the 300, he started to niggle at the filly before reaching for the whip at the 200, seeing the favourite salute by nearly three lengths.
All Too Rio ran on well to finish second from outsider El Jay ($31) who also came home strongly.
Hibern salutes for Dar Lunn
Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn was happy to see Hibern ($9.50) salute in the $22,000 Inland Digital Class One Handicap (1600m) on Monday as it was a case of fourth time lucky for the four-year-old mare.
According to the veteran horseman, the result had been building for a while.
"She's been steadily improving and her last few runs have been good," he said.
"We've been trying to get her to settle back a bit and find the line."
And settle back is exactly what she did as she came around the bend with four or five lengths to make up.
She took the outside route and found the middle of the track at the 400 as jockey Grant Buckley began to ask her some questions.
The response from the winner was a dynamic one as she rounded up the field and timed her run to perfection, winning by a neck over Kazumi ($12) and heavily backed favourite Spilia ($1.90).
Seawatch fades as favourite shines
Seawatch failed to leave its mark on the $22,000 Launch Your Business in Narromine Region Class One Handicap (1000m) in its return race with Brad Draper. It was a decent start for the gelding but he dropped off at the turn while favourite Daredevil ($2.35) ran on to win.
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