Tactics pay dividends for driver of $140 outsider

JUNIOR driver Tom Nally pulled off a major upset when Indulgence won at the unthinkable price of $140 at Winton yesterday.

Nally sat the rank outsider off a hot speed and she unwound down the outer like a $2 favourite for her win in race 5.

While punters were left reeling by the result, Nally had a smile from ear to ear.

“It is amazing to win with a $140 shot. You don’t hear about that happening very often,” the reinsman said.

Indulgence officially paid a $141.70 win dividend. That represents the secondhighest dividend paid out by the TAB from a New Zealand harness race since 2004.

Only Northview Gambler, who scored at $165 at Addington in 2015, has produced a bigger return in the past 16 years.

Indulgence’s win was just Nally’s second career win in the sulky.

Sitting off race 3’s strong pace, Nally saved all of the energy he could before asking Indulgence for her supreme effort.

“We went back off the gate early. It was a hot pace up front, so we were just waiting.

“When Tetrick got going I followed him hoping to get past a few tiring runners.

“We came into it well and then I hooked her out fivewide and she was too good in the end.

“She felt good the whole way, she was on the bit.

“She felt like at least a $15 chance, anyway.”

Indulgence has been at Nally’s side through much of his harness racing career.

The junior driver and his grandfather, Vin, broke the mare in more than three years ago.

Nally went on to work for her trainer, Hamish Hunter, before driving his first winner in his colours with I’m Watching You in September.

The reinsman won that race in exactly the same circumstances as yesterday’s victory, coming with a perfectly time run from the rear of the field.

Indulgence was clearly unpopular with punters, much like she has been at times with those working with her.

The mare has had a habit of lashing out with her back legs and started her path to the races unceremoniously by kicking her driver out in her first workout.