Runningonempty drains the tank to take out Great Southern Districts Derby at Narrogin Paceway

Narrogin Paceway hosted an action-packed meet on Saturday evening, the Great Southern Derby highlighting a seven-event card.

It was a stellar performance from driver Trent Wheeler to claim the $11,000 Narrogin Racing 3YO Great Southern Districts Derby (2242m) with Running On Empty.

Wheeler kicked off the derby meet in gold and black claiming victory in the first race, driving Worlds Above, surging past Rox The World and hot favourite Taxi It Is to secure the win after a battle in the home straight.

It turned out to be a successful night for Wheeler as he secured the feature race on $1.45 favourite Runningonempty later on.

Trained by Aiden De Campo, Runningonempty led from the outset to win by 5.8m over Insta Gator to bring up a double for Wheeler.

Callmewhatuwant and Bronzed finished third and fourth respectively.

Talented reinsman Gary Hall Jr ended the night with a winning treble after driving Joelene, Wheresthetowrope and Cooper to victory.

In race four Hall Jr shot to the front on Michael Young’s Cooper in a super performance while Trooping The Colour, driven by Wheeler, pelted home to finish second ahead of six-year-old Gordon.

Five-year-old Where’s the Tow Rope claimed the sixth race over 2242m, followed by Cracka Tinny and Rusinol, and Hall Jr partnered with Young to win the final race of the night with six-year-old Joelene who beat Rodger James and Stella Major.

Nathan Turvey’s four-year old gelding Ventura travelled down the highway from Ravenswood to produce a no-nonsense front running display in race two while Young’s strong night also included a second placing with Firefly.

Trainer Jemma Hayman and driver Chris Lewis combined to win race three with Gliding Star.