Peter Moody got as big a thrill out of the win of Runsir at Pakenham as did his new training partner Katherine Coleman.
Coleman officially joined Moody as a trainer on Tuesday, the first day of the new racing season, and has a 100 per cent strike rate after Runsir took out the opening race on the synthetic track on Tuesday.
The result looked in danger until Runsir made a late lunge to get up on the line in the 1100m maiden.
“It didn’t look like it was going to plan,” Coleman said.
“Pete told me a little story this morning that his first runner got beaten a whisker, and I thought that was going to be the case there again for a minute.”
Moody said Coleman was a breath of fresh who joined his stable when he re-entered the fray three-and-a-half years ago after stepping away in 2016.
He said it was very exciting for Katherine to have her first runner step out as a winner.
“It’s really deserved,” Moody said.
“She’s the new fullness that my establishment needed.
“(With wife) Sarah and I and the girls, she’s a part of our family now and with longtime racing manager Jeff O’Connor we all needed a freshen up and we’re lucky that this young lady came into our lives about three-and-a-half years ago.
“I think, quite possibly, it’s the start of a fantastic career. She works very hard, she’s got experience beyond her years and really deserves this opportunity.
“I just hope I’m a part of it for a bit longer. I hope she doesn’t sack me sooner rather later.”
Luke Nolen, who has been Moody’s long-time stable rider winning more than 850 races over the journey, had the ride on Runsir on Tuesday.
“It’s a new band and hopefully we can make some nice, sweet music as a result,” Nolen said.
Meanwhile Will Hayes, who also had his first runners at Pakenham after joining brothers Ben and J D in a partnership at Lindsay Park, had to wait until his third runner to land a winner.
His first two, Mr Saxabeat and Boogie Street, were unplaced in a 1400m maiden before Powerbound won a benchmark 64 Handicap.
Sarah Fanin, representing the Lindsay Park team at Pakenham, said everyone at the stable was thrilled that Will had been associated with a winner in his first day as an official trainer.
