IT'S not that Jill Neilson expected to win Saturday night's Sales Final at Globe Derby, but the respected horsewoman certainly didn't consider her representative as such a longshot.
Neilson contested the fillies' division with Honolulu Lulu, which caused a massive upset to capture the $50,000 Final.
Breaking her maiden status at her fifth start, Honolulu Lulu paid $103.90 on the Tote.
Amazingly, the daughter of Sweet Lou wasn't the rank outsider - that honour went to Spirit Of Sassy, which finished last at $159.50!
"In my mind her price was overs," Neilson said. "During her previous race she ran home really well and I felt if she was on her best behaviour, which is her biggest problem, she could sneak second or third.
"I never really thought she could win it, but gave her some hope.
"When you watch her race she looks like she is going slowly around, but she can come home quite well.
"Her winning is very very pleasing, and funnily enough, I know quite a few people who had $5 here and $10 there each way cause of her price.
"I don't back them because if anything or anyone can stop them I can."
With Katie Lobb in the cart, Honolulu Lulu was settled two-back along the pegs from barrier two as Laylas Princess led from the pole.
Angled three-wide leaving the back straight, Honolulu Lulu was taken back to the inside before finishing stoutly along the sprint lane to score by a short half-head from Liberty Crest, which was gallant after racing in the 'death seat'.
Laylas Princess battled on to be three metres away third in 1:58.8 over 1800 metres.
"That was an 11 out of 10 drive from Katie," Neilson said. "Katie works her at home and really knows the filly.
"I'm absolutely over the moon with her run, especially knowing how immature she is.
"She'll go to a paddock now in hope she can mature and grow a bit before we aim at the Southern Cross later this year."
