Former champion jumps jockey Brett Scott has celebrated his first win as a trainer and now hopes to keep the momentum rolling at Sandown on Sunday.
Scott, who only saddled up his first runner at the Warrnambool carnival in May, won the opening Hurdle race at Ballarat on Thursday with Dubhdara.
“It’s been a little bit overdue,” Scott said.
“My horses have been running well in some good races but I’ve been running the bridesmaid all the time so it’s good to get the monkey off my back.”
Scott was virtually unparalleled in the saddle and his big race wins included three Nakayama Grand Jumps aboard Karasi.
A fall at Yarra Valley in October 2010 ended his illustrious riding career but he has now set his sights on making his mark as a trainer.
“I do miss riding but I’m enjoying the training side of it,” Scott said.
“There are a few things I want to accomplish as a trainer which I did as a rider.
“I’d like to win a Great Eastern and a Grand Annual, races like that.”
Scott’s immediate mission is on Sunday at Sandown where Seeking The Silver will tackle the Grand National Hurdle (3900m) and Tobouggie Nights the Crisp Steeplechase (3900m).
Seeking The Silver has placed in all three starts for Scott, the latest when runner-up to Grand National rival Gotta Take Care over 3600m at Warrnambool on July 7.
Scott rates him a good chance but believes he will be even better over the bigger fences.
“He just keeps running into one better,” Scott said.
“Going up in distance is going to suit him, the wet track will suit him so there are a lot of pluses.
“I was thinking the Grand National Hurdle would be his go but after watching a couple of the other horses I’m probably more confident going into the National Steeple now over the bigger fences.
“I think they’re probably more his go. There may be a couple of horses in that Hurdle who are still too sharp for him but he’ll be thereabouts.”
Tobouggie Nights has disappointed at his past couple of runs after successive wins at Oakbank in April and Scott says he needs to perform on Sunday to join Seeking The Silver in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Sandown on July 29.
“He’s one who has been struggling with the really heavy tracks,” Scott said.
“I’m happy with the horse but he really needs to do something on Sunday to go to the National Steeplechase.”
