Narrandera trainer Jackson Painting continued his great run of recent success when his talented pacer Thalassophobia (Fear The Dragon) finished with a powerful burst to take out the $75,000 TAB Regional Championship Final at Wagga last Friday evening.

Thalassophobia was driven by Brad Hewitt who picked up a stand by drive.

In a furious pace early La Cavalletta was driven hard by Cameron Hart to take the lead. Luke McCarthy who had previously won a double earlier in the evening settled behind the leader on View The Art.

Thalassophobia was mid field one out. The question was whether La Cavalletta could keep going. Tukaha was trying to push through the field and Hewitt was forced wide with Thalassophobia.

But the testing home straight saw the race unwide and in a flash Thalassophobia grabbed the lead to record a convincing win over Tukaha and Mirador Lass who finished on for third placing.

Painting has achieved success with Bogdanovic, Scared Stiff, Fear The Pain and Catchafire and a team of 20 in work. He is ably assisted by locals Elli Lapper and Michaela Towers.

A jubilant Painting stated after the race:

“I liked him very much as a youngster I remember his mother Ocean Diva. I brought him off his breeder Rick Woodhouse of Yirribee Stud. Thalassophobia was her first foal to race.

“He was a tricky horse at home as he was a bad shadow jumper. Then he went sore in his knees. So we gave him a good spell and now he’s doing well. He’ll now be set for another final of the Riverina Championships to be run later on.

Painting is a keen judge of a good horse. Indeed Thalassophobia’s dam Ocean Drive was a top race mare. She won over 15 races for over $250,000 running an overall best of 1.51.1.

Tragically she missed on her first five attempts to foal before producing Thalassophobia. Since then she has produced five other progeny including Happy Too Ya who has won two races.