Ascot Park 3yr-old The Bird Dance produced a stunning finish to win and provide a highlight on his home track on Saturday.
After being trapped three-back on the markers, driver Brent Barclay negotiated a clear path for the Murray Brown-trained 3yr-old and he produced a withering burst of speed to win.
Before unwinding, The Bird Dance's winning hopes looked bleak when he was about five lengths off leader Bunter's Dream.
Brown said commentator Dave McDonald summed the situation up well at the time by saying his horse had "too much to do" to win.
"I didn't give him much hope. Dave McDonald summed it up. I thought he had too much ground to make up.
"He has always had a bit of speed and he really showed it."
The Bird Dance got to the winning post with a neck to spare over runner-up The White Rabbit.
The pacer was having his first run since early March when competing in the 2200m event.
Brown said the spell the gelding had enjoyed since his previous race had helped strengthen and improve him.
The trainer pointed out the greenness the The Bird Dance showed when unleashing his powerful finish showed there was more improvement to come.
Brown said he planned to target the pacer at a 3yr-old event at the Gore meeting later this month.
The Bird Dance provided Brown with the second leg of a winning double after Dallas Grimes won two races prior.
The 4yr-old did not provide her backers with the nervous moments her stablemate did.
Driver Sheree Tomlinson had Dallas Grimes out in front throughout from the 1400m race and she scored by half a neck over Edie Jaccka.
Saturday's Nugget graduation final produced a predictable finish.
Classy 3yr-old Chuckles, Tulsa Jaccka and Hampton looked set to dominate the $10,600 feature and they did not disappoint.
Chuckles scored by three-quarters of a length over Tulsa Jaccka, with Hampton a further three-quarters of a length away.
