Harness racing: Stacey Weidemann had an evening to remember at Tamworth last night, booting home a hat-trick and raising $1200 for charity in the process.
The Clifton-based driver made the 450-kilometre trip with aunts Lola and Julie, and they made the long journey more than worthwhile.
Stacey's three wins, coupled with a victory for Lola on Mac Sweet, raised $1600 in total for Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), taking the family's total to $2400 since the start of February.
"It's good when the stable can raise so much money,” she said.
"Everyone takes a few things of granted, and it's nice to help and contribute to people who are going through tough times.”
After finishing fifth and third in the opening two races, a determined drive on Readily ($5) saw her pick up her first win of the night.
The five-year-old gelding was under the pump as the horses made their way down the back, before finally getting past leader Mammals Rockstar in the final 50 metres to claim a narrow victory.
"They had gone a bit hard, and I thought I was gone in the back straight, but eading for home the leader showed signs of cracking,” she said.
"In those circumstances it was hard to come from behind.”
Weidemann didn't have a drive in the fourth race, before overcoming a tricky draw to land the prize in the fifth race with one-eyed standardbred Fours Enough Tas ($12.60).
Having his 137th start, a textbook piece of driving saw the seven-year-old settle in the one-one, before nabbing favourite Midnight Prowler right on the post.
"I thought I had got there, but I'm generally bad at picking photos,” she said.
She didn't have to stress as much in the following race, after Condafew ($3.10 fav) made the most of drawing the pegs, showing gate speed to take up the running.
The gelding was never in doubt after picking up a cheap lead, holding off rivals in the straight to cap off the memorable night.
"He's a little horse we purchased cheap, and he wasn't hyped to be too good, but he has done a good job for us,” she said.
"He led over 2300 last start and the distance cracked him, so we were hoping for an easy lead.”