IN-FORM mare The Baggy Green produced a devastating finishing burst to snatch a memorable victory in the $14,790 Albury Pacers Cup (2570m) on Saturday night.
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Aided by a perfectly timed drive by the Mirrool magician, Stephen Maguire, The Baggy Green ($7.10) only nabbed a gallant Franco Noriega ($16) over the final stages to win by 1.6 metres.
Race favourite Hollywood Sign ($4) also lost few admirers when finishing third a further six metres behind after being pressured in the lead for the majority of the race.
Adding further merit to the win, The Baggy Green smashed the track record after running scorching sectionals of 29.9, 30.1, 30.9 and 29.9 for an overall mile rate of 2:00:8.
Maguire said The Baggy Green had never raced better after having won four of her past six starts.
“It was an impressive victory and the hot tempo certainly played into our hands,” Maguire said.
“She lobbed in a beautiful spot early and although she got shuffled back in the run, I knew I was going to have the last crack at them.
“It was a steep rise in class for her but to her credit, she got the job done.”
Maguire paid tribute to both Franco Noriega and Hollywood Sign who both worked hard in the run and were responsible for the race being run in track record time.
Franco Noriega in particular produced a herculean effort first-up from a spell in a terrific training performance by Albury trainer Chris Chant.
“Turning for home I didn’t think it was possible to catch the two leaders,” he said.
“But my mare really sprouted wings over the last 100 metres and it wasn’t until the final 50 metres I knew I was going to get there.
“I thought Franco Noriega went enormous considering he was first-up and Hollywood Sign was also a huge run after working out of the gate to lead and was taken on for the whole race.”
It was Maguire’s first victory in the Border’s premier race.
The placegetters will most likely clash again in Saturday night’s Wagga Pacers Cup (2570m).