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It was a day of firsts at Taupo on Wednesday, with Robert Wellwood securing his first win as a trainer, while apprentices Ashvin Goindasamy and Nik Bakar each rode home their first winners.
Wellwood entered into a training partnership with Roger James at the start of the season and he did not have to wait long to attain his maiden victory as a trainer.
Jockey Cameron Lammas was able to kick home four-year-old mare Dream On to a one and a quarter length victory in the opening race on the card, the Telperion Sprint (1300m).
Wellwood was excited with the win and is looking forward to what could be an exciting spring for the newly-formed racing partnership.
“I was pretty happy to get the first win under the belt,” Wellwood said.
“We’ve got a nice team of horses and Roger is really good, I’ve certainly learnt a lot and it’s an exciting future ahead.
“I have been there for about two years now and he said to me earlier in the year would you look at going into partnership. I think we both bring a lot to the partnership and hopefully we have an exciting time ahead for team Kingsclere.
"Roger is very willing to pass on the knowledge as well and that is invaluable. This is the career I want to pursue and there is no better man to learn from."
In the following race it was the turn of apprentice jockey Ashvin Goindasamy to record his first victory.
The 20-year-old was ecstatic when saluting the judge for the first time after riding Cutting up Rough to victory in the Haunui Farm Stallions 1300.
He said the victory was made even sweeter because he was wearing the colours of his riding master, Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning.
“I wanted to get my first win for my boss in these colours, so I am really happy with that,” Goindasamy said.
“I just followed the instructions my boss gave me. The horse kicked out in the last 100m and gave me a really good feeling.
“I just started my career here in New Zealand, it is my first season here, so hopefully I can ride more winners and get more rides.”
Meanwhile, to finish the hat-trick of firsts, fellow apprentice Nik Bakar secured his first win in the proceeding race, the Per Incanto Proven 1200, aboard the Jamie Richards-trained Don’tblamethemusic.
“He is an older horse that appreciates a claim and he had a nice draw and Nick gave him a good ride,” Richards said.
“He’s put a lot of hard work in through the winter and it’s really good to give the kids an opportunity when the right horse pops up.
“Nick came to us from Malaysia, he is a good friend of Shafiq’s (Rusof, jockey) and with the licensing changes up there in Singapore they have to come out here and show that they can ride before they head back home.
“He’s going to work his way through the grades here with our horses and get ready in the spring and I’m sure he will do a good job.” – NZ Racing Desk