Spirit Energy gives Rademaker maiden training victory
Young Victorian trainer Koby Rademaker certainly had a Sunday to remember after her first starter as a trainer saluted at Sandown Park yesterday afternoon.
Spirit Energy went into the event as pre-race favourite and began smartly from box seven, following early leader Coco Lilly into the back straight. Turning for home, the daughter of Aston Dee Bee and Shimmey switched to the inside and raced away to score by 1.75 lengths in 29.83.
Rademaker was understandably delighted with her debut performance with the collar and lead.
“She's been doing everything right at home and trialling super, so I was confident going into the race.”
“I'm thrilled she's made the final and that win will certainly give her a confidence boost going into next week.”
A regular handler for her mum and dad, Koby knows the feeling of leading in a winner, and it was that experience that made yesterday even more special.
“Catching and handling regularly at Sandown Park has kept me grounded and I know all about the ups and downs of greyhound racing, but I was absolutely over the moon when she crossed the line first,” she said.
There was no prouder man yesterday than her dad, Adam, glowing with praise for his talented daughter post-race.
“We are absolutely rapt for Koby,” he said.
“She is growing in confidence everyday and couldn't wait to be able to train a dog herself.
“She recently helped us whelp our first litter and she definitely has what it takes to be a successful trainer in the greyhound industry.
“She is a well-respected catcher who always tries her best and now she can hone her craft as a trainer and we couldn't be more proud of her.”
As for her plans moving forward, Koby is just hoping Spirit Energy “can repeat her performance in the final next week”.
It was certainly a day of firsts yesterday, with Queensland trainer Dean Dunleavy also training his maiden winner with Fleur De Belle saluting over the 331m at Albion Park, being just his fourth starter to hit the track.