It was a moment to remember for young Bendigo trainer Annalise Maragos when she got her first career victory on her home track with My Heart on Tuesday.
Perseverance paid with the five-year-old mare, who was a surprise winner at start number six, having been unplaced at all her previous starts. She started a $21 chance in the 1500-metre maiden.
Craig Newitt gave My Heart a positive ride, going straight to the lead at a comfortable tempo. The mare gave a strong kick in te straight to hold her rivals at bay.
A change of tactics and a roomy track were the keys to the form turnaround according to the trainer.
“She needed a big, long straight like this. She loves Bendigo,” Maragos said.
“It’s really good to get the first win on the home track. It means a lot”.
Local trainers dominated the race with the winner, runner-up (Ya Love Her) and fourth placegetter (Dusty’s Deel) from Bendigo stables.
Brent Stanley trains Ya Love Her while Kym Hann prepares Dusty’s Deel.
My Heart has a strong pedigree, being a Fastnet Rock half-sister to the talented staying mare Super Girl, a city winner who placed in the listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) of 2020.
My Heart races in the same aqua, gold and pink colours as Super Girl — those of owner/breeder Jim Middlemis.
Annalise has worked with many Bendigo trainers over the last few years learning her craft and only took out her trainer’s licence in 2023, with her first runner at Dunkeld last November.
With 10 horses currently on the books in the growing stable, expect to see the Maragos name on the winners list again in the near future.