Winton breeder-owner Michelle Caig lived a harness racing dream at Ascot Park yesterday.
Caig enjoyed dual success with half-sisters Penelope Lane and Our Rose Hill, both trotting to victory.
Caig bred both horses, while she also races Penelope Lane from the Brad Williamson stable.
Though she has been breeding horses with good success for several decades, the thrill of winning hasn’t diminished.
"This is what you dream about when you breed horses," Caig said.
Penelope Lane produced an excellent win in her debut at Wyndham in June, but the filly had galloped repeatedly in her five starts since.
Though she raced greenly at times yesterday, her ability shone through when she charged home late to score.
"I can tell you that winning is a lot better than watching her gallop five starts in a row.
"She is such a thinking horse and she has got gears, and one day she will have all the manners.
"Brad has done such a great job with her, he is very cool, calm and collected."
Penelope Lane is by Volstead from Caig’s group 1-producing dam City Lane.
While Volstead has left outstanding horses since Caig paired up the stallion and mare, it was more of a punt at the time than it may seem now.
"A lot of breeding is about gut feeling, when I have gone with what has been popular at the time, I often haven’t had success.
"Volstead was $4500 at the time, and a bit more of a gamble. The best part is that Penelope Lane is eligible for the Harness 5000 because of it."
With City Lane now retired from breeding and Volstead an established sire, Caig hopes she has found a replacement broodmare in Penelope Lane — though with her form on the track, she looks a few seasons away from entering the breeding barn.
Caig initially raced Our Rose Hill before selling her to fellow Southland owner Art Shirley.
That didn’t take away any of the thrill of watching the mare she had bred win.
"Everything I sell I want to win races," Caig said.
"I have sold a few to Arty and I got just as much of a kick out of watching her win for him."
Brad Williamson also took the reins behind Our Rose Hill for trainer Alister Black.
The excitement is set to continue in coming weeks for Caig off the track, with two of her mares due to foal this spring.
