Holly Moralde Sands celebrates first career win

Junior driver Holly Moralde Sands had a night to remember at Cambridge Raceway yesterday, notching up the first win of her career with a mare who means far more to her than just a drive.

Partnering Grace N Elegance in the Christmas Movie Series Dec 7th, 14th and  21st Trot, Moralde Sands produced a confident and well-timed drive to secure a breakthrough victory — made even sweeter by the fact she part-owns the six-year-old trotter.

Holly has been a familiar sight behind Grace N Elegance since taking out her junior driver’s licence in August, and the pair have developed a good rapport.

They’d already notched up two seconds together before last night.

“The best word to describe how I felt is relieved,” she said. “She was full of running down the back straight, but when we turned for home Brooke (Wilkins) looked like she was still going good. 100m from the post I realized I was going to get there, my mare was travelling that well.”

Relief may have been the initial emotion, but satisfaction wasn’t far behind. For a young driver still settling into the rhythm of race day driving, getting that first win on the board is a moment that lasts — and doing it with a horse you’ve helped guide and develop makes it all the more special.

The 2200m event unfolded ideally for the pair. They stepped away cleanly from the stand and settled toward the rear, allowing themselves to find their rhythm early. At the 600m mark a breaking runner created an opening, which allowed Moralde Sands to shift out and improve their position. Confident in how well the mare was travelling, she allowed Grace N Elegance to build momentum and move around the field.

Turning for home, Grace N Elegance lengthened beautifully, reeling in the brave Conrad H before drawing clear to win by 2½ lengths — a decisive margin for a milestone moment.

GRACE N ELEGANCE REPLAY

“It means a lot to me to get my first winner under my belt, it’s a step in the right direction,” she said.

“I just want to get back out there and keep on trying for more!”

For complete race results, click here

by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand