Former New Zealander Kim Grant was on cloud nine in Launceston on Sunday night, steering home the first winner of her career in Impress Print Stakes.
The 28-year-old arrived in Tasmania in January to work for the ever-expanding Ben Yole team.
"I held a trainer-drivers license in New Zealand and had around 40 drives and then had a year off to try my hand at training greyhounds and then spent a year in Melbourne, but opportunities there were few and far between there," said Kim.
"I was fortunate enough to be offered a job by Ben (Yole) and I arrived in the state in January and have enjoyed every minute, we have a great team everyone gets on well and everyone is committed to the stable, I'm very thankful for the opportunities Ben's given me.
Kim broke the ice with the bolter Lake Eyre (pictured) a $78 chance with what appeared from the broadcast box a seemingly cool calm and collected drive, but according to Kim, it was anything but halfway down the home stretch.
"It was so thrilling, I got cover early and when challenges came at the bell I was able to push up into the one-one and when we got to the home corner Lake Eyre was travelling so well it just hit me that this was going to be my first winner," said Kim.
"We hit the front on straightening and I started urging him on, it was such an exciting feeling I just couldn't believe it, I think I may have let out a little scream, okay may be a big one when we got close to the line, Gareth (Rattray) finished second and he high-fived me after the line, people are so nice here and the sportsmanship is incredible."
Lake Eyre was part of another winning treble for leading trainer Ben Yole who also put the polish on the heavily supported Diamond Grace and the rank outsider Border Cross.
Bianca Heenan, currently second in the State Trainers Premiership and a clear leader in the leading Female Trainer Award, snared a double with Miss Maguire and Twenty Two Karat.
Brian Mackrill produced the well-supported Arty Glenwood for a debut win, Kate MacLeod kept favourite punters afloat with popular pick Shadow Ross saluting in a five-way photo while Paul Ashwood got Drillittobits over the line in the last on the card.
