Training a
city winner for the first time is something to cherish but to do it on your
birthday is extra special.
That rare
feat was accomplished by rookie trainer Caitlin Lavin when Show A Noee won the
Hamilton Hotel Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Lavin celebrated
her 26th birthday in the best possible way when Showed A Noee ran down Discreet
to score by three-quarters of a length with Red Empire, a further 1-1/4 lengths
away third.
Ridden
perfectly by Damian Brown, Show A Noee relished the heavy conditions to register
only his second win from nine starts.
Show A Noee's
win also proved a family affair as the
youngster is owned by Lavin's father, Peter.
Peter Lavin
raced the gelding's mother Nik Nik Noee, who won three of her 12 starts for
Deagon trainer Pat Duff.
Show A Noee
is the only horse Lavin has taken to the races since being
licenced to train and the son of Show A Heart was having only his third race start for
her.
"This
is my third start as a trainer … and it is my first metro starter," Lavin
said.
"It’s
my birthday today too, so this is a great birthday present.
"The
horse surprised me actually. I was a bit sceptical. I didn't think he could
make it on the slow track today.
"He's
a big horse and I didn’t think he’d be able to get through it, but he did, so happy
days."
Lavin, who considered a career in real estate
before getting the training bug, has only a small team in work at the Sunshine
Coast.
"I've got five in work at the moment but Dad
and I also have the breeding operation looking after another 35 horses on the property,"
she said.
Lavin gave a special mention to Browne after
he advised her to remove blinkers from Show A Noee following his previous start
when third at Caloundra on July 8.
"He wasn’t entirely comfortable in the
conditions, but I don’t think you will find too many young horses that would be,"
Browne said.
"In saying that, I thought there was
plenty of merit in his win and that his last furlong, in particular, was very
good.
"It’s great for the trainer. She’s obviously doing a terrific job
with a small team and it’s great for her to have a success on a Saturday."
Racing Queensland webnews July 21
Photo: Trackside Photography
