Racing: Nina's Girl bursts to stunning victory

Outsider Nina's Girl produced a sustained finishing burst which carried her to a stunning victory in Sunday's gruelling 779m $75,000 Hounds Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar final at the Manukau Stadium.

Karen Walsh-trained race favourite Thrilling Quest seemed to have her opposition covered when racing down the back straight the last time.

That was until the final turn, when Nina's Girl, tracking Thrilling Quest a margin behind, began to appreciably close the gap.

Swinging for home the Dave and Jean Fahey-trained Nina's Girl mastered the pacemaker to kick clear and although crowd favourite Swift Fantasy was flying home late, Nina's Girl had 0.75 lengths to spare over Swift Fantasy, with the same margin back to a gallant Thrilling Quest. Nina's Girl ran a respectable 46.17s.

"We are absolutely rapt with this result," said Dave Fahey.