“To get my first winner as a trainer is amazing”
CRANBOURNE is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of New Zealand Cup Day, but to Kelly Stuart-Mitchell a midweek program at the outer-city venue will long be her favourite.
Bred into harness racing, a young Stuart-Mitchell watched from the sidelines as star pacer Just An Excuse beat the best Australasia had to offer for her father, trainer Robert Mitchell.
Successful in five Group Ones, Just An Excuse’s 17 wins include two New Zealand Cups.
The son of Live Or Die also captured three Group Twos and was among the placings on 15 occasions from 39 starts.
As for Stuart-Mitchell’s fondness for Cranbourne it stems from her registering her initial victory as a trainer at the track today.
Claudy An Gus provided Stuart-Mitchell with the magic moment by causing an upset in a 2110-metre handicap.
“I’m so excited…absolutely thrilled,” Stuart-Mitchell said. “To get my first winner as a trainer is amazing and something I will never forget.”
Driven to perfection by Joe Pace, Claudy An Gus began well from his 30-metre mark to be midfield early before being sent forward to find the lead after the first quarter.
Allowed to travel stroll along at a stead tempo during the middle stages, Claudy An Gus kicked clear on the home turn to rate 2:07.8.
Also coming from the 30-metre mark, Abitofadreamer fought on valiantly after racing in the ‘death seat’ to be two-and-a-half metres away third.
Quick Witted completed a trifecta for the backmarkers when 37 metres away third.
“We trialled against Abitofadreamer last week and I felt the way to beat him was be in front of him early,” Pace said.
“Once we found the front I didn’t think he would be run down as he has a bit of speed and showed that with the way he kicked on the last bend.
“He goes along quite well and there is no reason she he won’t get better with experience.”
Breaking his maiden at his 14th start, Claudy An Gus is owned by the Catchya Racing Group, which includes Stuart-Mitchell’s partner, Darren Aitken.
A well-bred trotter, the four-year-old is a half-brother to former star filly Claudys Princess.
The best among her crop, Claudys Princess won five Group Ones as a two, three and four-year-old.
As for Claudy An Gus, he is likely to return to Cranbourne in a fortnight.
“There is another suitable trot for him at Cranbourne on the 14th so that’s where we will head,” Stuart-Mitchell said.