Grahame Begg has described winning a midweek race at Sandown as like a Group One victory.
The former Sydney trainer Begg was no stranger to Group One success during a career that began during the 1990s ahead of a sabbatical at the end of 2014.
The win of Phoenix Park in the Cove Hotel Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday was his first in town since he made his return 12 months ago.
“It’s like winning a Group One race. At the moment it certainly is,” Begg said.
Begg currently has 12 horses in work at the Pinecliff training property at Mt Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula and is happy with how the first 12 months have gone.
“It’s tough going, starting a business up from scratch,” he said.
“That’s the 14th winner in the 12 months we’ve been back so we’re delighted.
“We’ve had a few placegetters in town before this but we’ve done well with what we’ve got and a lot haven’t raced yet.
“We’ve got some nice rising three-year-olds amongst the group.”
Begg said the one disappointment from Wednesday was the victory of Phoenix Park was her last start for the stable with the mare catalogued for the Great Southern Sale next week.
“At least now somebody is going to be buying a city winner,” he said.
The victory gave Jamie Mott, who combines riding on the flat and over jumps, his 100th winner of the season.
