McGill breaks maiden status

Young harness racing participant Katie McGill registered her maiden win when successful with The Sleepy Lion at Penrith last night.

While McGill enjoyed the thrill of winning, it was business as usual today as she returned to her year 12 studies at Wyndham College.

“It was a bit of a surprise that my first winner was The Sleepy Lion because we have had a lot of trouble with him galloping, it was a great relief to finally get that first win,” McGill said.

“I was excited. It was a good feeling and I remember looking around after the race and seeing Glenn McElhinney with a big smile on his face and he gave me the thumbs up.”

McGill made her driving debut last March, and after a few close finishes, she was questioning whether she would ever drive that elusive first winner.

“I think Dad (David McGill, trainer of The Sleepy Lion) was the most relieved after Thursday night because he had noticed how frustrated I was getting,” McGill said.

“Dad had been trying hard to find the right race with the right draw, so I think the win meant a lot to him as well.”

While The Sleepy Lion is a horse Katie will never forget, she does have a soft spot for others in the stable.

“Cantiscape was the first horse I drove in a race and he was the horse I drove when I ran a placing for the first time,” McGill  explained “He doesn’t race anymore, but he was pretty special and I also have a lot of time for Classic Croupier.”

Following secondary school, McGill hopes to continue her education further.

“I have always wanted to be a vet, so hopefully I can achieve that,” McGill said.

“I enjoy working with the pacers, but it is not something that I am looking at doing full-time in the future.”

• HRNSW Media