First training win for David Gregory

By Jonny Turner 

After 45 years in harness racing, it was finally David Gregory's turn to enjoy success at Ascot Park on Thursday.

After helping put the polish on winners for other trainers, Gregory notched his first official win when Americana Elite ran to a maiden victory at the ripe age of eight-years-old for driver Craig Ferguson.

That victory may not have come had the Wyndham trainer not been given a shot with the pacer.

"I got Americana Elite by accident," Gregory said.

"She was doing things wrong with the last trainer and kicking him out of the cart.”

"I got her and got her sorted, she is an honest wee mare.”

"She's got her quirks, she's not a very big horse but Craig is quite happy with how she goes and she showed it today."

It has taken Gregory the best part of two years to get Americana Elite to the winner's circle, with injury halting their progress.

"She was six-years-old when she came to me and she qualified at her second attempt."

"She injured a pastern so we had to put her out for nine months and she's come back good as gold."

Working around his commitments at his regular job, Gregory still pitches in where it all began – at Gordon and Colin Lee's Wyndham stable.

The trainer was delighted to see the Lees also enjoy success at Ascot Park with Razorsharpmiki.

"I drive Razorsharpmiki in work quite a bit for the Lee brothers, I started off with them originally when I was 15 and I'm now 60."

"I have helped Brendon McLellan train a lot of winners over the years, as well as Lyndon Bond and Craig Laurenson."

Americana Elite is from a family McLellan has had plenty of success with.

She is from the maternal line that produced outstanding race filly Shania Patron, as well as a host of other winners.

Razorsharpmiki ran to an impressive debut win for the Lee stable despite some mid-race dramatics.

The pacer shied when hearing the bell with a lap to go in his 2200m assignment, veering out sharply when in front.

Driver Brent Barclay corrected the pacer before he regained the lead and went on to record a nice victory.