ANTHONY QUERIPEL (pictured) became a local hero at Vazon in June.

All eyes were on the top visiting riders for the third Condor Ferries Sand Ace Championship meeting, but by the end it was a born and bred Sarnian who rode off with the title.

Mitch Godden had flown in aiming to pick up another decent pay cheque and a hat-trick of Sand Ace titles, but he flew out full of praise for the fast-improving local star.

While Godden was hampered all afternoon by engine problems, Queripel was stunningly good and even surprised himself.

His Eventure JRM, prepared expertly by his father Terry, worked like a dream and the 22-year-old did not finish out of the top two in five starts, winning four of them, including the final in which he led from start to finish.

‘I didn’t see that [victory] coming, with the other boys being here,’ he admitted. ‘I’m very surprised.

‘I’m really progressing this season, though. Every meeting I’m getting better.