Tony Barron will not forget Delightful Dash in a hurry - although a few weeks ago, he was not even sure if he wanted any credit if it won.
Barron had been looking after the mare for Burnham trainer Bruce Negus, but Negus then suggested Barron should take over the official training of the horse.
The Makarewa horseman was not overly comfortable with taking the horse off Negus ''officially'', but Negus was having none of Barron's protestations.
"He said 'put this mare in your name'. I went and looked it up on the computer and said 'this is a nice mare - I'm not putting it in my name' and he said 'yes you are','' Barron said.
Delightful Dash has done most of her racing for Negus, although her last win came for West Melton trainer Cran Dalgety, in May.
But her win yesterday had extra meaning for Barron, being his 300th career training success on his own accord, after training 38 winners in partnership with his father, Ron.
His 299th win came with Schwartz Denario at Winton on December 20, although Barron regrets double-checking the figure last month.
"The worst thing I did was I looked it up on the computer because I've been jammed there for a few weeks,'' he said.
''Well, it wasn't that long ago - it just seems like it.''
The win was penalty-free due to junior driver Jessica Young taking the reins, and Barron was pleased for Young after she missed out on the drive behind Music in the previous race.
Part-owner and breeder Barrie Barber, of Waikouaiti, was at Cromwell to watch his mare and was thrilled to see her pick up her fifth win.
Barber said Delightful Dash's dam, Coming Up Roses, had a Washington VC colt this year and is, ''hopefully'', back in foal to Changeover.
