Michelle Fleming celebrated the first day of the new year with a breakthrough win.
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The Tamworth trainer had plenty to cheer about when Sir Donald went one better than last year in the $24,000 SOS Phone Repairs Inverell Shorts (1050m).
Beaten by less than a length in the 2020 edition after storming home, Sir Donald was almost run down by a fast-finishing Labuan Star on the inside. In a tight finish it went to a photo, the seven-year old just getting his nose in front on the line.
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It is Fleming's first win with the gelding, whom she also co-owns, since she got him from Greg Eurell in early 2019.
She has picked up a couple of seconds and thirds with him, but as she told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the race he suffers from a bit of anxiety.
But her hard work it seems is paying off with Friday his third place this preparation.
"He's running really well and I'm happy with him this prep," an excited Fleming said, adding her thanks to jockey Rachael Murray for her ride.
It was an equally special victory for the Inverell-raised hoop being her first 'shorts' triumph.
"He loves Inverell," Murray said, speaking with Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"A really eye-catching run last year and he's been going really good this prep so I was really grateful to be on him today.
"And Michelle's done a great job because he knew what it was all about today. He really wanted to win."
He had to fight hard for it.
"He's probably not a 1000 metre blatant specialist go forward sort of horse so he probably just had to take a little while to get going but then he was able to possy up nice and hit the line," she said.
Tamworth trainer Sue Grills had earlier taken out the Bede Thomas Memorial Maiden Plate (1050m) with Flowrider, while the Stirling Osland-trained Shelled saluted in the Tatts Hotel/Brian Baldwin Maiden Handicap (1400m).
