Most harness racing pundits previewing this afternoons New South Wales Derby saw it as a two horse war with Hug The Wind from barrier one preferred over Ideal For Real who had landed the dreaded barrier of nine.
The early races had the All Star barn runners on fire with Fight For Glory and Adore Me both being brilliant winners and punters thought the streak would continue in the Derby making Hug The Wind a clear favourite.
Sporty Spook flew the gate as he can and grabbed the early lead while Natalie Rasmussen let Hug The Wind find his feet early before sending him forward to the lead.
Gavin Lang on Ideal For Real settled second last in the running line early while the other well supported runner in Art Union with Dexter Dunn in the bike was parked outside the leader.
With just over a lap to go Gavin Lang sent Ideal For Real around the field and he landed in the death seat outside Hug The Wind with 1100 metres to go.
Natalie held the leader back to the field in the quarter down the back in 28.1 before going for broke as they turned for home.
Gavin Lang never panicked and slowly but surely got to Hug The Wind with Ideal For Real nailing him by half a head in the last stride.
What made the victory even meritorious was the last quarter was cut out in a blistering 25.8
Sporty Spooky fought on for third just in front of Art Union.
The Emma Stewart trained colt is an all American bred being by American Ideal from the imported Real Desire mare in Tamara Hall.
Noted previously for his high speed off a sit, Ideal For Real showed today that he has developed an all round game as the season has progressed.
Harnesslink Media