Oamaru junior driver Charlotte Purvis got a feeling like no other by winning her first race with Pyramid Magic at Ascot Park on Saturday.
The Phil Williamson-trained trotter proved too good after Purvis launched the 30m backmarker out of the one-one on the home turn.
The 23-year-old admitted that even a day after the victory, it had not fully sunk in.
"It has not completely sunk in that I have won a race," Purvis said yesterday.
"It was awesome — I was stoked with it."
"It was awesome to do it in Phil’s colours. He has been behind me the whole way. To get one for Phil and Bev was cool," Purvis said.
Purvis, the partner of driver Matthew Williamson, turned her hand to harness racing after giving up a career in beauty therapy to move to Oamaru 10 months ago.
She put paid to Matthew’s chances by running past hin and Danielle Amore quickly on the turn, while she also left Matthew’s brother, Brad, and Sam Galleon in her wake, too.
But the third Williamson in the race, Nathan, was not going to give Purvis her victory easily as he launched Pegarose for her run.
"I thought I was going to win when I first hit the straight, but when Nathan come up beside me it was touch and go."
But Pyramid Magic kicked too strongly under Purvis’ urgings to hold off the challenge and clinch victory.
While the win was Purvis’ first, Pyramid Magic scored his 10th win to go alongside his 20 placings for owners Neville Hazlett and Steve Hardiman.
Hazlett and Hardiman also race Pyramid Monarch, a half-sister to Pyramid Magic, with Ray Lowe. Pyramid Monarch has provided Purvis with one of her two placings from 17 previous drives.
"I am really grateful to the owners for giving me the opportunity. I can’t thank them enough."
Her victory only reinforced the former Cantabrian’s decision to change careers and move south, Purvis said.
"I am loving it, absolutely loving it.
"I’ve had good experience so far in the other races to get a grip on it.
"It’s very competitive out there. You have got to make your own luck and stand your ground out there."
Purvis went on to run third behind the Ross Wilson-trained Annie Fitz in the next race on the Northern Southland card.
"Ross and Bruce Negus have both given me great support since I started out," she said.
The Allan McVicar-trained It Aint The Money came with a huge late finish to claim Saturday’s feature pace for driver Brent Barclay.Barclay extricated the horse from a tricky position at the top of the straight before the gelding unleashed a big run to claim Shortys Mate and The Manipulator.
In the previous event, trainer Mark Jones and driver Samantha Ottley combined to produce The Bus to win the graduation series final.
