Busy trainer Krystle Johnston’s hard work paid off when she won her first metropolitan race with Craiglea Wandoo at Doomben on Saturday.
Johnston took over training for her father Stan Johnston about 12 months ago and had recorded 23 wins on all tracks.
Her horses, who have Stan Johnston’s stud Craiglea in their names, go all over the state chasing QTIS bonus money.
Craiglea Wandoo ($8.50) stormed home to beat I’m Belucci ($7) in the Mitavite Two-Year-Old (1110m).
“We were up early with the horses on Saturday morning but it is rewarding when you get winners,” she said.
Johnston is used to long days and was in Rockhampton on Friday before getting home at 11pm.
“I have seen a lot of highways around the state from Cairns down to the border … it has been a learning curve and to get my first city winner is great,” she said.
“I am also really pleased for dad because he puts so much into racing.”
Johnston trains 28 horses with most of her team being two-year-olds.
A Christmas celebration lunch helped trainer Tony Gollan get his first winner, Best Of The Rest, for leading owners Michael Buys and Robert Willis.
“We were having lunch for Christmas and talked about getting a stayer from the south to race here. Michael and Rob are good clients of Sydney trainer Anthony Cummings and he got him from Gooree Stud for us,” Gollan said. Best of the Rest ($4) was always travelling like a winner in the Racing Retro Open (2100m) and recorded a class record of 2.08.6.
Gollan made it an early double when his two-year-old filly Secret Saga ($3.70) won the Gary Palmer Memorial Handicap (1100m).
