ALBURY trainer Donna Scott is predicting a bright future for Indiana Rose after making an impressive winning debut at Albury on Saturday.
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Ridden by Mathew Cahill, Indiana Rose sat three wide for most of the $22,000 Maiden Plate, (1175m) after drawing wide.
Despite the torrid run, Idiana Rose ($7.50) showed plenty of fight in the straight to score by .5-length over Set To Go Well ($19).
Fifi Girl ($12) was a head further back in third.
Indiana Rose finished fifth in a recent trial at Wagga in preparation for Saturday's assignment.
"She did a super job," Scott said.
"We were happy with everything going into the race except for drawing a sticky gate.
"I was happy with her trial at Wagga and she has just come on in leaps and bounds since.
"Hopefully there is bigger and better wins in store for her in the future."
Scott said she was pleasantly surprised Indiana Rose was able to sit three-wide and still prove too strong.
"Our plan initially was more to give her an education run after drawing so awkwardly," she sadi.
"I told Matty to come out neutral, find some cover and educate her.
"But he said she landed a length in front and was always travelling throughout the race and was still able to win despite doing a fair bit wrong.
"He is of the opinion that there is fair bit of upside."
Albury jockey Blaike McDougall extended his recent scintillating form after landing a winning treble.
In a big day at the office, McDougall also finished runner-up twice.
McDougall started the meeting on a high with victory aboard Jirnaas ($2.10-fav) in the $22,000 Maiden Hcp, (1500m) for the strong Team Hayes stable.
The in-form hoop made it a winning double the very next race after guiding hot-pot Mellors ($1.55-fav) to victory in the $22,000 Benchmark 66, Hcp (1600m).
Mellors was also trained by Team Hayes who finished with a winning double.
McDougall made it three wins from as many races after saluting aboard Refire ($4.60) in the $22,000 Class 1 Hcp, (1500m).
The Danny Williams-trained gelding was dropping sharply in grade after contesting a TAB Highway at Rosehill at his previous start.
Victorian visitors Craig Widdison (Straover) and Andrew Dale (Destination Rocks) were also able to train winners at the meeting.
After two successful festive meets over the past fortnight the Albury Racing Club is now gearing up for its first ever Boxing Day meeting on Thursday week.
