Less than a year after saddling up his first runner as a trainer, Henry Dwyer celebrated his maiden Group One victory when Sonntag capped a meteoric rise to fame by winning the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The winner of a maiden race at Sale in April, Sonntag ($13) defeated Pinstripe Lane ($5.50) by a head with favourite Vilanova ($4.80) a half length away third.
Dwyer, 30, worked for leading trainers Robert Smerdon and Robert Hickmott before branching out on his own last year.
“Since I was 18 or 19 years old I’ve wanted to train horses,” Dwyer said.
“Working for Robert Smerdon and Robert Hickmott was great experience and after spending six months overseas I came back and thought the time was right to give it a go.
“I feel guilty winning my first Group One race when so many other trainers wait a lifetime to have a runner in these sort of races.
“To win a Group One is an incredible feeling.”
Amid the euphoria of his Derby triumph, Dwyer was keeping a level head regarding future plans for Sonntag.
“He’ll have an extended spell in Queensland for two or three months and miss the spring,” he said.
“We’ll aim for the autumn with him.”
Dwyer admitted he thought a Derby campaign was a long-shot for Sonntag.
“I said to the owners after each run he was getting lighter and lighter in condition and that he needed a spell,” he said.
“I mentioned after he won earlier this campaign the Derby might be worth looking at just to pump up the tyres of the owners as much as anything.”
Jockey Chad Schofield said Sonntag was always travelling like a winner.
“We planned to be one-out and one-back and I was over the moon to be following Pinstripe Lane who I thought was our main danger,” he said.
“I pulled out before the home turn to stoke him up and he was very brave up the straight.”
Damien Oliver said Pinstripe Lane had been outstayed by Sonntag while Nash Rawiller felt Vilanova’s run peaked at the 200 metres.
Zac Purton said Rock Diva pulled too hard during the race but performed creditably to hold on for fourth.
