Seymour apprentice Tahlia Hope had her first night of riding at Moonee Valley last Friday  and came home a winner.
Hope was successful aboard the Patrick Payne-trained Invincible Al ($4.20 favourite) in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 5 (955m).
Interviewed by Racing.com’s Dylan Dunn, Hope recalled she’d got her first win on this horse at Pakenham on a Saturday. 
“Patrick Payne has played a really big part in my career and it’s good to reward Patrick and the owners today.”
The ride earned the 19-year-old “ride of the night” honours and a $1500 set of golf clubs.
“It’s a nice Christmas present for her dad,” joked Shannon Hope, her father and co-master.
“She’s riding on the crest of a wave of confidence at the moment, and that’s a huge thing.”
It was a big couple of days for Tahlia as she had ridden a bookend double on her home track the day before.
She kicked off aboard Dashing Declan ($2.10 favourite) for her father and grandfather, Lee Hope, in the $22,000 Great Northern Maiden Plate (1600m).
Raced by Shannon Hope’s wife, Dee, the six-year-old Niello gelding defeated Annie Attitude ($31) by 2¼ lengths with Pretty Pine ($5.50) a further 1¼ lengths away third.
The maiden win came at the gelding’s 23rd start. He has earned $31,780.
The second leg of Tahlia Hope’s double came in the last of eight races, aboard the Dan McCarthy-trained Kyzamba in the Carlton Draught Dash BM58 Handicap (1000m).
The Valley win was the fourth-year apprentice’s 16th winner from her past 44 rides.
Rain cruels Kyneton
It was disappointing the meeting at bet365 Park Kyneton last Friday had to be abandoned due to overnight and morning rain.
The club’s next meeting is on Thursday December 7.
Come up for the cup
All at Kilmore Racing Club hope the weather gods are kinder to them this Sunday (November 26) for bet365 Kilmore Cup day.
KRC chief executive Ben Murphy says the track and surrounds are in great shape.
“With attractive prizes for Fashions on the Field, plenty of kids’ activities and live music during the day, all we want is good weather,” Murphy said.
A courtesy bus between Kilmore East station and the course will transport customers on V/line’s Seymour service.
For dining packages book at kilmoreracingclub.com.au. For further enquiries ring the club on (03) 5783 0700.
• Hoofnote: This writer was going through the previous winners of the Kilmore Cup during the week and noticed the 1986 winner, Keepers, trained by Brian Ralph and ridden by Malcolm Pay, still holds the 1600-metre record at 1:35.50!