The hardest win is out of the way, according to trainer Paul Britt, and now he can start looking towards a bright future with Lucky Thirteen.
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After showing immense potential in a number of trials, Lucky Thirteen scored his first career win at Dawson Park on Thursday and the Canowindra-based trainer was delighted.
While not jumping out the best, Lucky Thirteen got to the front with minimal fuss in Thursday’s first race, the Dyna Villa At Stud Maiden (400m), and went on to score a tight win.
“From day one when we broke him in he looked like a city dog and this is only his second start,” Britt said.
“He had his first start at Richmond about two weeks ago but he didn’t have much luck so we brought him here just to break his maiden and now hopefully we can go further with him.
“It’s always hardest, to win your maiden, but now that’s out of the road and now we can look forward to a few decent races with him.”
Punters had paid close attention to Lucky Thirteen’s trial form, including four successive wins at Dubbo, Coonabarabran and Richmond, and he jumped from box eight as a $1.50 favourite.
La Izzie ($35.30) jumped the best from box three and got to the lead early but down the back straight Britt’s charge powered in front.
Lucky Thirteen looked set to go on and score a convincing win but he didn’t have it all his own way as Paul Braddon’s Ferrero Miss ($4.50) made a late charge.
But the leader hung on to win by a neck while Raymond Smith’s Irinka Sneaky ($8.90) was four-and-three quarter lengths back in third.
“We were pretty confident, he’s a pretty smart young dog,” Britt said after the win.
“He went whisker off the record in a trial here a couple of weeks ago so we were expecting him to go pretty well.”
Also promising for Britt is the fact Lucky Thirteen scored the win in the time of 23.05, a time he showed in trials that he is capable of.
The fun didn’t stop there for Britt, who recorded an early double.
Speedy Sparky made it a double for the trainer when taking out the day’s fourth event, the Ladbrokes Masters Stakes (318m).
Much like Lucky Thirteen, Speedy Sparky began as a $1.50 favourite and he justified that standing by going on to score a convincing five length win.
Winning in a time of 18.51, Speedy Sparky got home ahead of Bindigo Lad ($10.30) and Black Nero ($34.90).
Andrew Bell also had a strong start to the meeting, scoring a winning quinella in the Trials Now 8am Pathways Stakes (400m), with Fall Line beating Wait To See.