South Australian concession reinsman Matt Bailey landed his first winner at Globe Derby Park on Sunday.
Bailey, 26, drove Celestial Daybreak to an all-the-way win in the DPR Insurance Brokers Pace (1800m). Specked from $41 into $30.40, Celestial Daybreak, trained by Shane Loone, beat stablemate Just Read My Mind ($4.80) by a neck with Addarichone ($2.20 fav), a metre away third.
Bailey said he had had “50-odd” drives before Sunday’s win. “I have had a few placings but today is a great thrill,” he said.
“When Dani (Danielle Hill) came up on Just Read My Mind in the home straight I thought I might be headed for another placing, but my horse refused to give in and I was able to land the win.”
Bailey said he had a family involvement in harness racing from a young age.
“I started off helping out Scott Ewen but have also had stints in Victoria with Lance Justice and Andy Gath.“I love harness racing and currently have three horses of my own, and actually have just moved into the stables which Lance Justice used when he was based in South Australia.
“I have a full-time job so days are pretty busy with work and the horses, but I love it.
“I have to thank my partner Ash (Ashleigh Smith), she has been a tremendous supporter. “Shane (Loone) has also been great in giving me a lot of drives.”
A quick beginner, Bailey had no trouble crossing from gate three on Celestial Daybreak and rated the six-year-old perfectly with 31.7 and 31.9 second quarters for the first 800 metres of the last 1600m.
The gelding was able to come home in 29.4 and 30.4 final sectionals to just hold off Just Read My Mind which had looked the winner on the home turn when it loomed up.
