Junior driver Genevieve Crawford got to experience driving a winner at Gore yesterday, but it came a little later than most would expect.
The 20-year-old notched her first career win when steering Jerry Fitz to victory in race 4. While those in the grandstand and her friends and family back in Roxburgh were celebrating as she crossed the line, Crawford was just hoping she had won: she was not entirely sure whether Jerry Fitz had got his nose in front of Swap Over and Nathan Williamson.
"I actually thought Nathan had won, until he said ‘good job’. So there was no salute or anything."
The win, in Crawford’s 34th race drive, brought a feeling of relief.
"It was awesome, really cool. It feels like finally there is a bit less pressure."
That pressure had come mostly from Crawford herself.
"To me, it took longer than it seemed to everyone else. When I was seeing everyone else getting [wins] I was like, come on, hurry up."
The win adds to the accomplishments Crawford has already racked up off the racetrack. The horsewoman, who has rehomed dozens of retired racehorses, is a previous winner of the Young Achiever award at the Otago Harness Racing Awards.
Her employers, Roxburgh trainers Geoff and Jude Knight, got great satisfaction in her win.
"We are very proud of Genevieve," Geoff Knight said.
"She is more like a member of the family than an employee. She ... works hard and any kid that gets their first win, it’s special."
While Crawford is still beginning her career, Jerry Fitz won his 12th race at start 139. The Live Or Die 8yr-old has won in every season since he was a 2yr-old and has lost none of his zest in that time, Knight said.
"He is still first at the gate to be worked in the morning."
Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson combined with Dexter Dunn and leading sire Art Major to score a winning double in the last two races. All Star Magician won first up from Anderson’s stable in race 10 before Eamon Maguire grabbed his sixth career victory in race 11.
In a day of firsts on the 11 race programme at Gore yesterday, Southland trainer Jo Baynes notched her first training victory with Envious in race 7. Coincidentally, the win came in a race sponsored by Genevieve Crawford's employers, Knight Racing Stables.
- Jonny Turner
