Brunela justified her short odds when scoring a commanding win at Wellington Jockey Club on Monday, December 9.
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Trained at Cowra by Michael Lynch and owned by JP McAlister, Brunela firmed into a $1.85 favorite by the time the Keirle's Pharmacy Maiden Plate (1400m) jumped.
She'd shown promise when running home well for second at Narromine last time out and went one better with Mathew Cahill in the saddle again on Monday.
After getting to the lead early and setting the pace, Brunela kicked out to a strong lead while turning into the straight and then bolted in for a convincing six-length victory.
The four-year-old's first win came as a relief for Lynch after some good performances earlier in her career.nHer only poor effort was a 10th placing at Hawkesbury in October.
The win took Brunela's record to one win and six minor placings from 10 career starts.
"She's been knocking at the door and it was a perfect ride," Lynch told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
The result capped off a pleasing few days for Lynch after $14 chance Just In The Clear finished third in Saturday's Highway Handicap at Rosehill.
At Wellington on Monday Brunela wasn't expected to lead but with little pace in the race Cahill got her away well from gate one and took control early.
Divine Authority also drove forward early while Hibernator and A Krupt Pick were others in the leading pack.
But Brunela was well in control and once Cahill gave the order she kicked clear with the result never in doubt.
Sticks 'N' Stones ($3.40) was also popular among punters but after running along the rails for much of the journey was forced wide as the field turned for home and there was too much work to do from there.
The Clint Lundholm-trained gelding finished second while Garry Lunn's newcomer Just On Spec ($41) was third.
Lynch said he intends to keep Brunela in work now that her confidence is up.
Brunella's win followed Blinkin Nomore's success in the opening event of the day at Wellington.
The poor air quality around the region had Monday's meeting in doubt at one point early in the morning but racing went ahead and Bryan Dixon's Blinkin Nomore saluted in the Hermitage Hill Country Retreat Class 1 and Maiden Plate (2400m).
In one of the rare 2400m events around the west, Blinkin Nomore ($18) scored a surprise half-length win from Bellatrix Queen ($2.90 favourite) and Bansuri ($5.50).
It was the five-year-old's second win from 24 career starts.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
