Lisa Miles's son Alfie was required for more congratulatory kisses after his mum won the Vin Knight Medal
Lisa Miles’s year just keeps getting better.
Less than three weeks after winning the Tabcorp Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Final with late-season revelation Led Suitcase, the Monegeetta trainer-driver claimed the Vin Knight Medal.
She was announced the winner of the award that recognises excellence in horsemanship at a gala ceremony at Crown casino’s Palladium Ballroom on Wednesday night.
Miles polled 33 votes to defeat Geoff Webster by six with Glenn Douglas two votes back in third spot.
Miles was thrilled to join Kerryn Manning and Jodi Quinlan as female winners of the 12-year-old award that has also been won by the likes of Gavin Lang, Chris Alford and Lance Justice.
“I’m absolutely amazed that this can happen,” she said. “I’m very honoured to win this award and be put up there with the people that have won it in years gone by.”
Miles both trained and drove 18 metropolitan winners for the season, including two Group 1s.
Along with Led Suitcase’s Breeders Crown win, she also won the Vicbred Super Series 3YO Colts and Geldings Final with Villagem.
The Vin Knight Medal success capped a big night for Miles, who also took out the Rising Stars Trainers Recognition title.
Chris Lang Jnr snared the Junior Driver Achievement award and Emma Stewart picked up the Young Achiever Award.
John Caldow won the Driving Performance of the Year Award and Bill Galea the Special Achievement Award.
Kiwi legend Barry Purdon became the first New Zealander to claim a place in the Harness Racing Weekly Hall of Fame.