Kelly (21) was having just her fourth-race day ride when she piloted the King's Chapel gelding to a 4 length win in a 1600m maiden field at Riverton.
The win was still sinking in for the Glenorchy native when the Otago Daily Times talked to her yesterday, but she best summed up the moment as ''awesome. It was so cool,'' Kelly said.
''I was just epic-ing - I was thinking `what just happened?'. It didn't sink in for a while.''
Kelly started riding trackwork for Wingatui trainer Paul Richards last year and had her first public outing at the Wingatui jumpouts last September.
She expressed an interest in graduating to riding in races when she won a heat at the September jumpouts, but she thanked Richards and his wife, Leanne, for giving her the confidence to take on the professionals.
''Paul and Leanne were really encouraging about it,'' she said.
''I was really enjoying riding and doing the jumpouts - they wanted me to keep at it. And every time I rode, I thought I definitely wanted to keep at it.''
Kelly wasn't willing to celebrate internally until the win was almost sealed.
''It probably wasn't until I was pretty much there and there was nobody in front of me, I thought hmmmm ...''
Pharrell is a regular mount for Kelly in trackwork and the 3yr-old is now ''definitely'' one of her favourites.
''He's a hard case and such a character.''
Kelly was appreciative of everyone around Wingatui who had supported her, but saved the most praise for the Richards.
''They're a guiding force. They're just awesome people to work for.''
Their support extends to providing Kelly with a more tranquil place to study at their Wingatui stables when the University of Otago central library gets too busy.
Kelly is in the final year of a bachelor of science degree, with an interest in the climate and glaciology, but she may continue on next year.
''I'll graduate at the end of this year, but I'll probably start post-graduate studies,'' she said.
But one thing's for sure - she's keen for another win or two while she balances the books with the silks.
''I'll keep at it and do the best that I can.''
