Norm Diebert Snr credited young reinsman Jordan Seary with delivering him a hometown feature race on Wednesday.
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Seary was at the helm as Red Ruffy took out the $15,300 Milbrae Quarries Final at Leeton at the traditional New Year's Day meeting.
The eight-year-old has only had seven starts for the stable, however was much improved from his heat effort last week.
He just scraped into the field after finishing fifth last week in the heat, but was afforded a gun run by Seary to turn the tables.
Diebert rated the drive an 11 out of 10.
"He's a nice horse but that was a top drive," Diebert said.
"It was the perfect drive."
After drawing barrier one and being awarded a perfect trip from Seary, Red Ruffy ($7.50) powered home late to swamp his rivals.
Settling behind the leader initally, Seary elected to move off the pegs when the speed went into the race with over a lap to go.
The move enabled him to find clear running coming around the turn for home before going on to defeat Hilly ($14) by 2.2 metres with $1.60 favourite Rocky Branach in third.
Victorian visitor Im Delightful took out the other lucrative final on the night, leading all the way in the Golden Apple Super Store final.
With the race opened up to three-year-olds for the first time in decades, it made the trip back to the Riverina more than worthwhile for trainer-driver Daniel Jack.
Her 2.2-metre victory over Tygerphinn backed up a strong heat victory on Boxing Day.
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