Trainer Danny Curran finally posted his first Sandown winner when Written Dash was successful on Wednesday.
And later in the day jockey Casey Bruce landed her first official city success when she guided the Robert Smerdon-trained Real Time home in the Heading Out Hair And Beauty Handicap.
Curran, a former marketing manager at Racing Victoria, said he had been coming to Sandown for 20 years and finally cracked it for success when the $12 chance Written Dash scored in the Appelles Handicap.
Having dabbled in training before joining Racing Victoria, Curran again took out his licence after leaving his post in 2003.
He estimated he had prepared 15 placings at Sandown before Written Dash’s victory.
Written Dash was beaten more than 13 lengths on debut at Swan Hill in June before going for a spell and is unbeaten in two runs since, having scored first-up at Horsham on October 31.
“I thought a lot of the horse early and ran her in the Elvstroem (at Swan Hill),” Curran said.
“She was a bit new and it was wet which she doesn’t like.
“At Horsham she got into all sorts of trouble and got out of it.
“Today Dean (Yendall) was positive. I think 1400 metres is better for her and she looks like she’s going to go on.”
Curran transferred his team to Bendigo around two years ago and moved himself from his Kyneton property 12 months later.
His last city winner came with Niptious at Moonee Valley in July 2010.
Bruce landed a Sandown winner on Denoninator back in May for John Symons and Sheila Laxon but was not claiming it as a city win.
She said it was a Ballarat meeting transferred to Sandown.
Having worked with Smerdon for the past 12 years, she said the win on Real Time made it a little extra special.
“Technically this is my first city winner and to do it for the boss is a big thrill,” Bruce said.
