By COLIN HODGES

Following the shock win by $150 rank outsider Texas Lil at the recent Dubbo meeting, there was another big upset when $101 long shot Dead On Time won on Saturday at Gilgandra.

Owned by veteran racing man Stan Leonard from Coonamble and trained there by Ian Holland, Dead On Time had Aaron Sweeney in the saddle when springing the surprise in the 1600 metres Merryula Class 1 & Maiden Plate.

Positioned behind the leading pack, Dead On Time swept home to win by over a length from Shiny Agent ( Reece Jones,$10 ) and Forseti ( Liam Blanch,$2.70 favourite.

The judge had a busy day with several closely contested races including the 800 metres Cooinda Class 2 Handicap which featured a dead heat for first and a dead heat for fourth.

From the Glenn Frazer stable at Coonabarabran, Nicola ( Liam Blanch,$3.20 fav.) edged to the lead close to home but the Bryan Dixon, Gilgandra trained Fox Spirit ( Zara Lewis,$8.50 ) drew level on the line to share the first prize.

Superthena Ken Dunbar,$15 ) also trained by Dixon was a close third with the fourth place dead heaters being Ellysay ( Tony Cavallo,$7 ) and Japingka ( Aaron Sweeney,$8.50 ).

The photo finish camera was also put to good use when Equilibrium ( Liam Blanch,$12 ) and Zoey Lass ( Tony Cavallo,$17 ) figured in a dead heat for second, a long neck behind the winner Fiveash in the 1600 metres Cooinda Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Trained at Narromine by Kylie Kennedy for Terry Fulwood, Fiveash ( $6.50 ) ridden by ex New Zealander Rory Hutchings had made a sustained run from the back of the field to claim victory.

Not so close was the finish of the 1200 metres Coonabarabran Bakery Benchmark 50 Handicap with the Bryan Dixon, Gilgandra trained Makuba ( $9.50 ) ridden by local apprentice Zara Lewis, beginning quickly from the outside barrier and leading all the way for a four lengths win over Addictions ( Michael Heagney,$12 ) and Northern Conqueror ( Tony Cavallo,$5.80 ).

Kelly Smith who is the only trainer at Collarenebri won the 1200 metres Nutrien Ag Solutions Benchmark 50 Handicap with Pretext’s Dream ( Liam Blanch,$3.80 fav.) which raced handy to the lead and held on to beat Say Madam ( Kath-Bell Pitomac,$9 ) and Riva Rialto ( Clayton Gallagher,$6 ).

The other winners Unification ( Madeline Owen,$7.50 ) trained by Mark Schmetzer and Just Too Sweet ( Jackson Searle,$6.50 ) trained by Cody Morgan both led throughout.

Gilgandra hosted the meeting after the Coonabarabran track was affected by heavy rain.

Despite losing their meeting a good contingent from Coonabarabran made the trip to support Gilgandra.

Forbes Jockey Club has been awarded Showcase status for the Cup meeting on Sunday and with the significant increase in prizemoney can expect very strong fields.