Trailing the leading favourite by eight lengths at the half, First Impression and driver Sylvain Lacaille circled the field to prevail in the featured $6,500 Winners Over Handicap Pace on Sunday night at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Poppy Buckys Boy (Stephane Pouliot) overtook Mister Icon (Guy Gagnon) past the :27.3 first quarter mark and then led the field of eight through middle splits of ::57 and 1:26.3. Meanwhile, Beach Runner A M (Darrell Coville) advanced first over from the backfield with Web Cam (Gord Brown) following his cover. With those two starting the outer flow, First Impression was shuffled to last and moved third over.

As Poppys Bucky Boy came off the final turn into the stretch, he had Beach Runner A M at his flank -- although drifting out -- and Web Cam firing wide. Lacaille shot First Impression between the duelling leaders down the stretch and came through off a :28.1 final frame for the half-length victory in 1:55.2.

Sent postward as the 5-1 fourth choice in the field, First Impression paid $12 to win. Beach Runner A M was the runner-up while Web Cam finished third over Poppys Bucky Boy. Mister Icon earned the final paycheque in fifth.

Gary McDonald trains the nine-year-old gelding and shares ownership as part of The Three Gees Stable. First Impression has won five of his 35 races this year while earning over $36,000 in purses.

The victory in the top class was part of a driving grand slam for Lacaille.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.