The $102,000 Diamonds Classic Final at the harness racing meeting at Bunbury last night was supposed to be a match race between Mary Catherine and Sheer Rocknroll.
But these two were so intent on wearing each other down that they opened the door for the filly with the soft run to nab the lucrative first prize.
That filly was Bethany Aitch in the hands of her part owner, trainer and driver, Nathan Turvey.
Drawing perfectly at one, Nathan sent Bethany Aitch forward early before handing up the lead to $1:70 favourite Mary Catherine with the maestro Chris Lewis in the bike.
It wasn't long before driver Stuart McDonald sent the other well supported runner Sheer Rocknroll to have a look for the lead with just over a lap to go.
The two favourites went at it from there and as they turned for home Mary Catherine had a kick while not surprisingly Sheer Rocknroll started to wilt.
As soon as the passing lane appeared Bethany Aitch sprinted strongly up the inside and grabbed Mary Catherine and held too many guns for the opposition after such a cosy run in the trail the whole way.
Mary Catherine fought on gamely to hold second in front of a very unlucky Jasmin Amal and Morgan Woodley.
Three back on the inner the whole way, Morgan angled Jasmin Amal into the running line as they turned the corner but appeared to lock wheels as they straightened which cost her any winning chance.
Balanced up again by Morgan, Jasmin Amal stormed home late for a very unlucky third and looks a filly with a big future.
Bethany Aitch paced the mile in a quick 1:57.7 with closing sectionals of 57.1 and 28.9.
A daughter of Four Starzzz Shark from the former handy New Zealand mare Survivor 1:59 ($40,845), Bethany Aitch was posting her first lifetime win last night at just her fifth lifetime start.
The first three home last night look to be very close in ability and their next meeting could again be decided by the draw.
Harnesslink Media