Victorian trainer Peter Presutto joked that he had to remortgage the family home to pay the fuel bill to drive his champion stayer Without A Trace to Dubbo for Saturday night's Country Classic heats (605m).
But Without A Trace covered the travelling expenses, the triple Group 1 winner returning in style after a short injury-enforced break when setting a near-record pace in the three heats of the $100,000-to-the-winner Classic.
Returning after a month on the sidelines due to a wrist issue, the daughter of Houdini Boyand My Reflection started $1.75 in the second of three heats and a ten-hour road-trip from Devon Meadows to an unfamiliar track proved to be no concern as she led throughout in 34.44, defeating Vodka And Ice by two lengths.
It was Without A Trace's 18th win from 30 starts and her 15th from 22 appearances since stepping up to middle and staying distances last May.
Her time was the quickest of the three heats and less than a tenth of a second outside the 605m course record of 34.35 set by another star female stayer, Miss Ezmae, in 2021.
“I was really apprehensive and nervous because the spotlight is on her and she was coming off the injury,” said Peter Presutto on Sunday morning.
“She hadn't trialled behind the arm for a month, she'd just been free galloping at home, so I wasn't sure how she was going to go.
“But she makes me looks good!
“I just wanted to see her get that run under her belt and pull up well, which she has. She's so clean-winded. I reckon I could have put her around again last night!
“She was a bit over a length off the record, which does surprise me and it doesn't surprise me. I think she felt her way around early, so I think there should be some improvement in her.
“She's drawn box four next week, but if she can step like she did last night she'll put herself right in the race.”
Track record holder Miss Ezmae was trained by Jack Smith, who won the Country Classic in 2024 with Bella Una, upstaging superstar kennelmate Palawa King in the final.
Forbes-based Smith produced Saturday night's second fastest qualifier, Magpie Hector, which was dropping back in distance after claiming two G1 trophies during the recent Australian Cup Carnival, taking out the Zoom Top invitational and Fanta Bale Super Stayers.
Magpie Hector, a son of Smith's Dubbo 516m record holder Jungle Deuce, started $2.20 favourite in the third and final heat and after railing ominously into second with a lap to go he stormed to the front turning for home and defeated Queenslander Tempting Dash by an ever-widening 5.25 lengths in 34.53.
It was Magpie Hector's 14th win from 30 starts and he remains undefeated in three 605m assignments at Dubbo.
The opening heat went to Nangar Polly, trained by Arthur Langman, with the daughter of Fernando Bale and Nangar Gold taking advantage of box one to lead most of the way at her middle distance debut, clocking 34.80.
Nangar Polly ($9) held on in a thrilling finish to secure just her second win from 19 starts, staving off fast-finishing fancies Zipping Xaden ($2.70F) and Ayden's Warrior ($3.30) with the margins a neck by a half-head.
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