By Col Hodges

Consistent galloper Nicator in a thrilling finish won the Dandy Cup before a big crowd on Saturday at the very well promoted Narromine meeting.

Trained at Scone by Stephen Jones, the 6 year old Nicator took the record to 4 wins and 10 placings from 33 starts.

Veteran jockey Darryl “Digger” McLellan has been riding in great form and from a wide gate he quickly worked Nicator in to a good position running fourth behind Zounile, Bonhomie and Cemented in the Benchmark 50 race over 1600 metres.

Reaching the lead in the straight, Nicator ($6.50 to $10) lasted to win by a short half head from the fast finishing Winter Moon (Mathew Cahill, $9) with a half length to the third placed Zounile (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $4.20).

Local trainer Wayne Collison won the CAD Contracting Benchmark 50 Handicap with Luckyimwithaimee ridden by Mathew Cahill who has made a successful return after a lengthy time off with serious injuries from a race fall.

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(Image: Narromine Races Facebook)

From the outside barrier in the 12 horse field, Cahill found the early lead on Luckyimwithaimee ($9) which held on to score in a three way photo finish from Witness Collector (Andrew Banks, $6 to $4 favourite) and Flying Foxy (Shayleigh Ingelse, $10).

Formerly from Coonamble and now a leading trainer at Wyong, Damien Lane won the Narromine Shire Council Maiden Plate (1100 metres) with Alegna.

In front most of the way, Alegna (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $6) had 2 lengths to spare at the finish from Harry Tudor ($3.10 fav.) and Violet And Blue (Mathew Cahill, $91).

Dubbo based trainer Brett Robb and jockey Clayton Gallagher are a lethal force and they combined with Mr Invincible $4.60) which came from midfield to win the Narromine USMC Class 1 Handicap from Really Motivated (Mikayla Weir, $7.50) and Chelsea Amanda (Darryl McLellan, $7.50).

Coming from off the pace, the Jeremy Sylvester, Cessnock trained Cavalheiro ( Kelsey Lenton, $11) won the 1300 metres Three Rivers Machinery Case IH Maiden Plate while the Melissa Dennett, Tamworth trained Takanakuy (Mikayla Weir, $7.50) also ran home strongly from back in the field to win the 800 metres Aqua West Benchmark 58 Handicap.

 Racing at Bathurst (TAB) on Friday, Mudgee on Saturday and Wellington (TAB) on Monday.