Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan wouldn’t have had too many regrets when a former member of his stable, Royal Hawaiian scored at Warrnambool on Wednesday.
While Ryan won’t get much credit for the win, he will at least get some of the cash.
Royal Hawaiian won the Optus Shop Warrnambool Maiden Plate (1700m) at his second start for new trainer Ciaron Maher and only the seventh of his career.
And along with a list of local owners, including Maher’s former primary school teacher, is Ryan.
“Gerald wanted to stay in the horse, so I took that as a good sign,” Maher said.
On a track softened by steady rain, Royal Hawaiian ($13) circled the field to score by four lengths from Flowing Habit ($7.50) with Barring ($31) in third.
Ryan followed up soon after with a win as a trainer with Mineko at Warwick Farm.
Maher celebrated an early double with the heavily-backed first-starter Akavoroun who firmed from $11 to $5.50 in the Winning Edge Presentations Maiden (1400m).
Maher’s effort also continued the outstanding record of local trainers on the first two days of the carnival.
Western Districts horseman prepared nine of the 10 winners on the opening day and the first four on day two.
