Partnering Grace N Elegance in the Christmas Movie Series 7, 14 and 21 December Trot, Moralde Sands produced a confident and well-timed drive to secure a breakthrough win – made even sweeter by the fact that she is part owner of the six-year-old trotter.
Holly has been a celebrity behind Grace N Elegance since gaining her junior driver’s license in August, and the pair have built up a good rapport.
Before last night they had already won two seconds together.
“The best word to describe how I felt is relieved,” she said. “She was full from running down the straight, but as we headed home Brooke (Wilkins) looked like she was still going well. 100 yards from the post I realized I was going to get there, that’s how well my mare was riding.”
Relief may have been the first emotion, but satisfaction was not far behind. For a young rider still getting into the groove of race day riding, getting that first win on the board is a moment that will last – and doing it with a horse you’ve helped guide and develop makes it all the more special.
The 2200 meter event went ideally for the pair. They politely stepped away from the stands and sat towards the back, so they could find their rhythm early. In the 600 meters a breaking runner created an opening, allowing Moralde Sands to advance and improve their position. Confident in how well the mare was traveling, she allowed Grace N Elegance to build momentum and move through the field.
On the way home, Grace N Elegance extended beautifully, reeling in the brave Conrad H before winning by 2½ lengths – a decisive margin for a milestone moment.
GRACE N ELEGANCE REPEAT
“It means a lot to me to get my first winner under my belt, it’s a step in the right direction,” she said.
“I just want to get back out there and keep trying for more!”
For full race results, click here
Through Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand
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