Wingatui trainer Anna Swainson was presenting just her third runner to the races when Tuffinup's jockey, Lisa McKay, took the short way home in the rating 65 1400m to beat fellow Wingatui horse Aint No Lollygagga by half a head.
Swainson, a radiographer at the University of Otago School of Dentistry, moved south a year ago from Manawatu for work, and also decided to take out a training licence.
Tuffinup was formerly trained by Swainson's father, Bruce, and is one of two gallopers with whom Swainson is tinkering around. The 9yr-old mare, Estrella, made her debut in the amateur riders' 1600m maiden earlier in the day, finishing third with Swainson in the saddle.
''I've just got two in work - I can only fit two on the float,'' she said.
Swainson had eight years working for canny Central Districts trainer Kevin Myers, and rode in 15 amateur races during that time, including winning on Inevitable at Hastings in 2010.
Tuffinup built towards his second career win with a third at Riverton on May 12 on a heavy track, but there is plenty of variety in the Scaredee Cat gelding's life.
''He's a handy horse. He does a bit of showjumping, goes hunting, and he does a bit of racing.''
Swainson was extremely grateful for the support from the friendly Wingatui racing community, as she branched out into the world of training.
''It's very hard when you are on your own starting out,'' she said.
''Terry and Debbie [Kennedy] have been brilliant, and I ride a bit of work for Terry.''
Swainson has no grand aims other than getting her gallopers from the training track to race days.
''I just want to get them to the races - that's the biggest aim.''
First winning rideSouth Canterbury rider Alysha Verrall (nee Hutton) celebrated her first win as an amateur rider when guiding home Sabhraj for her father, David.
Verrall, who has recently moved to Waimate to farm with her husband, Stu, after a stint working in Mid Canterbury, is no stranger to quality horseflesh having represented New Zealand at showjumping.
''I got into the racehorses a few years ago,'' Verrall said.
''I ride maybe twice or three times a year [at the races].''
Verrall was feeling the pinch after the race as the maiden gallopers battled their way through the heavy track over 1600m.
''It felt like 2000m but it was good fun.
''I haven't been on a racehorse for a while so I'm a bit unfit.''
Effort rewardedThe Hutton stable were kept busy with four horses in three races, but the effort was rewarded when Pakitin Pete pounced in the final furlong to win the Otago Steeplechase by 4 lengths.
Jockey Ross Doherty, who has been nursing a nasty flu for the past three weeks, said Pakitin Pete's starting manners were handy, although he still has a bit to learn when tackling the fences.
''He always seems to put himself there handy out of the gates but he still jumps big and high,'' Doherty said.
