The Julie Douglas-trained pacer Jaccka Connor defied the odds to cause an upset win in the Beraldo Coffee Pace at Melton on Saturday night.
Sent out a $21 chance, Jaccka Connor settled towards the rear of the field from his second row draw and driver Ellen Tormey chanced her arm by making a lone three-wide assault on the leaders with 800 metres to travel.
Despite working three-wide without cover, Jaccka Connor ranged up to the leaders around the home turn and kept coming in the straight to get the verdict by two metres from Silver Mustique and Exotic Bushranger.
Tormey conceded the win wasn’t entirely expected as she made her way onto the track.
“He wasn’t entitled to win the way the race was run as it’s not really his go being off the fence and making a run that far from home, but to his credit he ran past them and dug in deep late,” Tormey said.
Tormey said the win at headquarters was overdue.
“He’s showed glimpses of ability and has always promised to win a metro race, but he doesn’t get a lot of luck... tonight he made his own,” she said.
Tormey said the winner has added another string to his bow.
“We’ve always driven him on the fence and with his gate speed have always taken a sit, but it’s good to know that he can do what he did tonight,” she said.