Toby’s dream fulfilled
GOLD Coast trainer Toby Edmonds has realised a longheld dream by winning the $160,000 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
Havasay, a horse that was transferred to Edmonds’ care eight weeks ago, took out the premier NSW country sprint yesterday, with stablemate Tyzone finishing third.
Brisbane-based Liam Birchley had trained Havasay to win a Class 6 at last year’s Grafton carnival but his horses have been refused entry to NSW races in the wake of the Aquanita affair.
Havasay’s owners transferred the five-year-old gelding to the Edmonds stable in May.
“It’s Liam’s horse,” Edmonds said after Havasay ($5.50) arrived to beat Grafton gelding Belflyer ($21) and Tyzone ($4 favourite). “He deserves all the credit. “I guess it was bittersweet for him but I’m also happy for him. He did a good job.”
Edmonds, who started his training career at Scone in 1988, had an ambition of winning the Grafton feature.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I started training,” he said of the Ramornie.
“Winning feature races on big days is what you dream of. I’m just glad (owner) Mark McLean asked me to take him.”
Edmonds won the Grafton Guineas last year, the Ramornie yesterday and what about a Grafton Cup next year?
“I haven’t got a Cup horse,” he admitted while also advising both Havasay and third-placed Tyzone could now spell.
For young jockey Matt McGillivray, who only finished his apprenticeship last season, it was a thrilling first time to the Grafton course.
“It is quite surreal really, it is my first year out of my apprenticeship and to win a big race like this on one of my favourite horses is massive,” he said.
“I didn’t think I would look at the picture of coming here, even the support of trainers, I don’t usually ride for the trainers that come to Grafton.
“In saying that I do ride for Toby a lot, so it was lucky I kept the ride on Havasay.”
McGillivray was punching the air down the straight and then back again after the win before he was embraced by the horse’s connections.
“It was a surreal feeling, they are really good owners,” he said.