WAGGA trainer-jockey Mick Travers created a special piece of history at Gundagai on Sunday when becoming the first NSW dual-licence holder to win a race.
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Travers became the first in NSW to be granted a dual licence last year and broke through for his maiden success as a trainer when guiding Estaverdi to victory on Gundagai Cup day.
Travers initially thought he had been downed in a photo finish but the result went his way and Estaverdi ($12) claimed the Ray Silburn Class One & Maiden Plate (1800m).
Travers described it as one of the more memorable wins of his career.
"It's up there," Travers said.
"It was more of a relief to get the first one out of the way.
"I'm very grateful to have achieved it but I wouldn't say it's a career highlight. It was definitely satisfying because we had the race picked out about a month ago and everything went right.
"I was absolutely devastated hitting the line because I thought I got beat but once I got back Brad Clark said well done and told me I had won it."
Travers, 47, has ridden 946 winners in the saddle and it took just 13 starters for him to register his first training victory.
The rules state Travers can train no more than five horses at the one time while holding the dual licence. He says that suits him perfectly for now.
"(Training) is something I want to do but it's not something I want to get into straight away. I'm restricted to five horses at the moment and that's a good number for the time being," he said.
"It's a lot of fun, while I'm still riding, and it has helped my weight immensely. I was struggling to ride the minimum before but now I'm a kilo and a half lighter than I need to be."
Travers has nominated Estaverdi, who is for sale, to back up in Sunday's $45,000 Murrumbidgee Cup (1800m), where she will run if she gains a start.
Travers will also have stable newcomer I'm A Cutie contest the Prized Icon 2YO Maiden Handicap (1200m).
While restricted with numbers, Travers is still on the look out for new horses to train.
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TOP jockey Winona Costin has undergone surgery to the facial injuries she sustained at Gundagai on Sunday.
Costin was taken to Wagga Base Hospital on Sunday after being dislodged from Superior Power behind the gates.
She sustained a nasty laceration to her nose and fractures to her nose, jaw and facial bones and was transferred to Norwest Hospital in Sydney on Monday.
She underwent surgery, where her facial lacerations and deeper cuts were sutured. Her facial fractures will need to heal on their own and will be monitored once the swelling subsides.
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ANOTHER One certainly lost no admirers with his fighting second place in the $500,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.
Another One ($10) was caught three wide without cover for the journey but had the tenacity to keep coming and ran a fighting second behind race favourite, and leader, Art Cadeau ($3.30), to be beaten a half length.
Not only was there plenty of praise going Another One's way for the run, but second prize was still a cool $97,000 for connections.
The second place cheque took his career earnings to $284,000 after just eight starts, justifying the decision to turn down a big offer from Hong Kong late last year.
The talented three-year-old is now in the paddock with the Kosciuszko or a second tilt at the Country Championships among the options being considered.
"It was really good and it gives us something to work with," Colvin said of the performance.
"He's only a three-year-old so he's got it all ahead of him now. He'll go for a break now and we'll look at the programmes."
Albury four-year-old Bautista had every chance and finished 10th.
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THIS year's Wagga Gold Cup carnival will officially kick off with Kooringal Stud Prelude day on Sunday.
The preludes to the Wagga Gold Cup and Wagga Town Plate are the highlights of the day, which is also a showcase meeting.
The $45,000 Murrumbidgee Cup (1800m) carries exemption of the Wagga Gold Cup ballot to the winner. Lady Mironton and Maid Of Ore have already secured their place in the field through wins at Albury and Gundagai.
Among the nominations for the cup prelude are Mercurial Lad, Balansa, Tochi, Huntly Castle and Champagne Vega.
The nominations for the $40,000 Wagga Town Plate Prelude (1200m) were much bigger with this the only opportunity for horses to gain ballot exemption.
Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor has nominated four in Cardiff, Jailbreak, Golden Gorge and Sneak Preview.
Morphettville trainer Luke O'Connor is considering the 918 kilometre trip to Wagga with ex-Godolphin sprinter Malaise.
A winner at Randwick, Warwick Farm, Flemington and Caulfield, Malaise has been with Dick Leech in the Northern Territory most recently, before being sent to O'Connor.
Forever Newyork, Mitch Beer's newcomer Dream Master and City Handicap winner Mount Horeb are others entered. Kooringal Stud will also be trying to win the race with their recent purchase, Underwood.
The $35,000 Guineas Prelude (1400m) and $30,000 Queen of the South Prelude (1300m) will also be run.
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LEETON Jockey Club will hold their Cup meeting on Saturday.
The $10,000 Coprice Leeton Cup (1600m), a Benchmark 58 Handicap, will be the feature. It has attracted the likes of Bravado Lass, Our Volantis, Willy White Socks and Cryfowl.
Not only is it a big day for the club, but it will also be a special moment for jockey Molly Bourke.
Bourke, who is apprenticed to George Dimitropoulos, will have her first race rides at the meeting.
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TUMUT duo Kerry Weir and Megan Creed combined to win last Saturday's $12,000 Hillston Cup (1700m) with Billo Road.
Owned by Andrew and Sue Groves, Billo Road ($2.20) edged out the Rick Freyer-trained Boogie Woogie ($2.40).
At Cootamundra, The Doug Gorrel-trained Keep Me Posted ($5.00) downed Cryfowl ($2.30) in a photo finish to win the $5000 Picnic Cup (1400m).
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WHAT'S ON
GALLOPS
Saturday: Leeton (non-TAB)
Sunday: Wagga (TAB)
TROTS
Friday: Wagga (TAB)
Tuesday: Leeton (TAB)
DOGS
Friday: Wagga (TAB)
