Rarely does a race meeting at Tyers Park go by without Dean Mirfin chalking up a win on his home track, and the Bathurst-based trainer didn’t take long to land a winner’s cheque on Friday.
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Mirfin combined with jockey Robbie Brewer to win the second, the $22,000 Town & Country Rural Supplies CG&E Maiden Plate (1400m), five-year-old Kind Reward storming to a commanding two-length win at $18 odds.
It was the bay gelding’s first win in seven starts and came in his first start back from a nine-week spell.
Mirfin has a long association with Tyers Park and has his stables at the Bathurst track, preparing winners at the venue in September and before that in July through Jetgirl and Winterconi.
Kind Reward’s somewhat surprising victory put another smile on Mirfin’s face.
“He kind of surprised me in winning in some regards,” Mirfin said.
“We always thought he had a bit of ability, but he’s a big, slow, maturing horse. Not real smart.
“Today, the ride was a really good one. [Brewer] rode him to the lead, meaning he wouldn’t have to worry about getting behind another horse or getting stuck in the pack.”
“The horse showed his true ability and rolled home really well.
“He’s been freshened up and I had a suspicion he’d run well but probably didn’t think he’d win, so you beauty.”
The race was delayed slightly after Allandale Raider got a leg caught up in the stalls of the 1400-metre shoot, but was eventually passed fit after being vetted.
Another home-town hope wasn’t deterred by the slight delay, with Peter Stanley’s $1.80 favourite Narrow Neck Nelson storming to a nice early lead to head Wanda Ings’ Mr Fuji and the Lee Van Den Bos gelding Just A Dram.
That order was maintained for virtually the duration of the first 1000 metres but when the field hit the straight Kind Reward found an impressive turn of speed and stormed to the victory with a blinding rail’s run.
Matthew Smith three-year-old chestnut Knight’s Helmet ($8.50) finished second while Narrow Neck Nelson landed in the placings narrowly behind Smith’s charger.
That victory was followed by one for Mudgee’s Gayna Williams and it came with a horse many will be keeping an eye on in the future.
It’s been far from easy getting Kookabaa race-ready, but the former Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gedling produced a tough run to win on debut for Williams in Friday’s TLE Electrical Maiden Handicap (1100m).
“I’m so thrilled for the owners,” an emotional Williams said post-race.
“This has has been a bit of a nightmare so I really want to thank them for sticking with me and with the horse.”
Kookabaa ($2 fav.) beat Korrawi ($3.50) and Miss Charlie ($26).
