Harness Racing: Ashlea McKinnon celebrates first training win

Mondo Sport was having his first race start for his new owner in McKinnon and produced the first up win for his new stable in taking out the Hazell's Best Presented Horse Pace.

What was even more exhilarating about the win was McKinnon was presenting her first starter to the race track since obtaining her trainers licence.

"I was super excited - it was awesome," was McKinnon's reaction after the win with Mondo Sports, who led the field all the way in the 1609 metre event.

"We have only had him (Mondo Sport) a couple of weeks and he had shown some good runs on the track leading into the race - we were confident but you have to wait and see how the race goes."

McKinnon has joined training forces with her fiancé and Tamworth trainer Richard Williams with the couple making Tamworth their home base after relocating from Queensland two years ago.

"I really love working the horses and it's a great reward when a horse goes out and gives their best," she said.

"I am looking forward to testing him over the longer distance now."

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McKinnon engaged Sydney based reinsman Leigh Sutton to take the reins behind Mondo Sport from the one barrier.

"I wanted him to lead as he likes to run along - I wasn't worried if he got crossed as I knew he would find a split," she said.

"Leigh's drive was super."

"Leigh drove my first winner as an owner in my race colours - Itsnewstome - and now he has driven my first winner as a trainer in my colours."

McKinnon has the striking race silks of white with turquoise geometric patterns with the matching pattern across white sleeves.

Sutton sent Mondo Sport straight to the lead and covered the quarters in 29.4 seconds; 31.4 seconds;29 seconds and the final quarter in 29.8 seconds and a mile rate of 1.59.6.

"I wasn't worried initially in the lead as he (Mondo Sport) was a bit casual but when Scotlyn Jiggs raced up to me as good as he did to my horses' credit once he felt the other horse with him, he put his head out at the right time," he said.

"I think my bloke was waiting for them as well."

Mondo Sport held on for a head win over Scotlynn Jiggs (Jakes Hughes) with race favourite Jimmy The Editor (Jack Callaghan) 4.2m away third.

"I had three seconds today before this race and finally got one over the line," Sutton saud.

"And for it to be Ash's first winner that is pretty good as I drove Richie's (Williams) first metro winner (Gottashopearly) so I can hang my hat on that as I don't have many drives for them."

"It's nice to jump on one for Ashlea and Richard - their horses get the job done when they get the right draws."

"Ashlea will be rapt with the win and I hope it brightens her spirits - both Ashlea and Richard do a good job and I am always happy to sit behind one for their horses."

McKinnon's two runners at the meeting were both pitted against each other in the same race, with The Puritan, with Brad Elder in the gig, finishing seventh.