Waverley’s meeting on Friday will live long in the memory of Foxton horseman Adam Scott, who recorded his first win as a trainer courtesy of Another Won’t Hurt in the Sandfords Rural Carriers (1400m).
The rambunctious five-year-old was having just his second start and he was unwanted by punters following his debut antics where he bucked off rider Nick Downs shortly after the start at Woodville earlier this month.
He trialled to the satisfaction of stewards at his home track on Tuesday and started a $61.70 outsider.
In stark contrast to his debut, Another Won’t Hurt showed perfect manners and jumped well for jockey Ashvin Mudhoo but was trapped out three-wide from his outside draw.
From his midfield position, Mudhoo asked for his charge to improve four and five wide from the 600m. The son of Turn Me Loose continued his forward momentum entering the straight and was able to show a good turn of foot in the concluding stages to reel in Riomosa to score by a head, much to the delight of Scott, who could be heard cheering home his pride and joy.
“It was a big thrill,” Scott beamed following the race. “I have had a lot of placings and it was getting to me a little bit. I was getting close, but I just wasn’t getting across the line. I am happy to finally get that win.”
Another Won’t Hurt has been a project horse for the 24-year-old, and he has had a fair reputation for his behavioural issues at the Foxton track. Where others would have given up, Scott persevered, and he was duly rewarded with a winning result on Friday.
“It’s really rewarding to have a horse that I have had around for two years to finally get him to the races and do everything right and get that win,” Scott said.
“I got given him for free because he has always had a reputation and a very good strike-rate about him when it comes to track work and bucking. In his first start he lost the rider after 20m (after bucking). It was a character-building sort of day.
“I am a very patient sort of person and once I put money into something, I love to see a result. Until they tell me they don’t want to do it, or they are slow, I will keep on persevering.
“I got him and thought he had shown enough in his early jumpouts to push on. I put him out for 18 months and here we are. The last jumpout he would have had would have been two-and-a-half years ago, so to see it all come together is very rewarding.”
Scott said it was also great to be able to give his part-owner, Jayden Moore, his first win as well.
“This is the first horse the owner has been a part of,” Scott said. “We have ridden the rollercoaster together. This is my first win as a trainer and we are all just thrilled to be here, having a happy and healthy horse, and be looking forward to the future over ground.”
The son of trainer Anna Scott, racing is in the blood for Scott, who always envisioned following in his family’s footsteps.
“I am the fifth or sixth generation in racing,” he said. “The Scotts have always been in racing. My mum is a trainer, my Grandad was a trainer, and I always wanted to be like them.
“When you grow up around something, what else are you going to do? If you grow up around All Blacks, you are going to be a rugby player.
“I got involved when I was 17 when I was looking for a job. I always wanted my trainer’s licence and finally got it on August 1 last year. I have been searching for the first winner for a very long time, so it was great to get it today.”
Scott has a dozen horses in his care at Foxton, and he said his partner, jockey Crystal Lindsay, is instrumental in his operation and he was pleased to see her place on his horse Tramore earlier on the card.
“I primarily do pre-trainers and breakers, but I race a few on my own,” he said. “I have got six in work, and I do about six breakers and pre-trainers at the same time. That’s all I want to get to at the moment.
“My partner, Crystal Lindsay, helps me closely in the mornings and I wouldn’t be doing it without her because otherwise it gets a bit tricky trying to do everything on the ground and ride.
“Tramore is a jumper and was there for a fitness run and she is going to go over the jumps again next start. I was thrilled with her running third.”
Scott, who has also won three races as an amateur jockey, was thrilled with Friday’s outcome and he is looking forward to celebrating the result with his loved ones.
“When you have spent time with a horse for so long, to win a race is a feeling that is hard to describe,” he said. “I will remember this day for the rest of my life.”