John O’Shea has opened the 2008/09 season at Bathurst Harness Racing Club with a start to finish win in the $4500 Flashing Red Pace (1730m) on Wednesday evening.

Sporting impressive new green silks with a purple and white checked sash, O’Shea got Peggy Rick ($3.50) out to an early lead from barrier three and despite challenges throughout the race, was never headed.

The five-year-old horse took the early lead from Geeigh Geoff ($44), with the Amanda Turnbull driven Bolterfromthebush ($3.60) starting from the second row and sitting one off the tail.

Peggy Rick had an early one length lead while Geeigh Geoff was never too far behind and Imposing Fella sitting in third.

At the 1200 metre mark Bundy Liqeur made it’s move three wide, taking second but John O’Shea looked comfortable at the front, running the first quarter in 30.6 seconds.

Bolterfromthebush made its move 900 metres from home as they passed the second quarter in 32 with Geeigh Geoff still in the mix.

The third quarter was 29.6 – Bundy Liquer was still a length behind Peggy Rick with Bolterfromthebush, Geeigh Geoff and Imposing Fella also keeping the pressure on.

As they crossed the line, Peggy Rick was able to hold off a fast finishing Geeigh Geoff by 1 1/4 metres with Imposing Fella half a head further back.

Bolterfromthebush finished in fourth while Bundy Liquer finished well back in sixth.

O’Shea said after the race he thought Peggy Rick was a chance if he could get to the front.

“I thought he’d go alright if I could get to the front and once he did I thought he was a fair chance,” O’Shea said.

O’Shea said he would consider running the horse in a fortnight’s time but would prefer a shorter race.

“He can’t run 2100 metres real well and he has to lead or he won’t do real well.”

His new silks are the result of getting his trainer’s licence after wearing his father’s last year and O’Shea admitted it would be hard for people to miss him in the bright colours.

O’Shea had two other drives on Wednesday night, finishing fourth on Seaspray in the second and third on Sevens in the third.

Nathan Hurst has continued his good run of form by winning the $2000 Western Edition USA Pace (Heat Two) behind Tulhurst Crusader.

Last week Hurst drove On A Promise to victory in the $12,500 Righteous Hanover Stakes at Harold Park.