It didn’t take long for Jared Kahlefeldt to bring up his first driving win.
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On only his second night of racing, the Wagga reinsman was able to guide Hilly to victory.
Having just his fifth drive, the 31-year-old led all the way to take out the Wagga Easter Sunday Racing April 16 Pace (1755m) on Friday night.
Bringing up the win for his father Paul, Kahlefeldt was thrilled he didn’t have to wait long to taste the success.
“It was good and I was stoked to get it so early,” Kahlefeldt said.
“At least the monkey is off my back now and it was my fifth drive so you can’t ask for much better than that.”
While the win was only a week after his debut, in another way it was a long time coming.
Heavily involved in the sport as a teenager, the 31-year-old has only returned to the fold in the past few years.
“I nearly had by drivers licence when I was 16 or 17 and at the time footy took over and school at the time, the HSC, took priority and I never finished,” Kahlefeldt said.
“I got to about 16 trials and never finished it off as you have to do 20.
“But I started working a few horses for the old man 12 months or so ago and thought I’ve got my trainers licence so I might as well do the driving as well and got back into it.”
Kahlefeldt was pleased to bring up the win for his father, however he was almost beaten by stablemate Norms Courage.
He wasn’t even conceived he’d held on for the win.
“I actually didn’t know that I’d won until down the back straight,” Kahlefeldt said.
“Nic (Dewar) pulled up beside me and said ‘well done mate’.
“I said ‘I don’t know whether I’ve got it’ and he said ‘yeah I think you did’
“It was good fun but there was no salute.”
Hilly scored by a head, making it two wins and a second in three runs back this preparation.
It was also a big night for Blake Jones who equalled his career best with four winners.
Jones drove Anakena and Corbie Jolt to victory as part of David Kennedy’s treble before taking the reins behind Jessica Amber.
Jones capped off the night with Molly Kelly, the full-sister to star mare Frith, who sat without cover to score a narrow win on debut.
Meanwhile, Dont Think Twice completed the Gold Tiara/Gold Bracelet double on Saturday night.
After taking out the Group One feature last season for trainer-driver Jason Grimson, the three-year-old claimed a comfortable win in the Group Two feature.
Dont Think Twice became the fifth filly to complete the double, with Frith the last to do so in 2012-13.