TEENAGE apprentice Kyle Maskiell notched his first winner at his 10th race ride when he guided the John Blacker-trained stayer Lead Us to victory in the last race on the card in Launceston on Wednesday night.
Maskiell settled Lead Us beyond midfield and at the 600-metre peg he set his charge alight and in the home straight he rode the gelding out well hands and heels to get up and defeat Raky’s Late (Anthony Darmanin) by a narrow margin.
The 15-year-old, who is the youngest son of Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame jockey Stephen Maskiell, is indentured to his grandfather Ken Hansen.
Maskiell was welcomed back to the unsaddling enclosure by thunderous applause, reminiscent of the scenes that surrounded his older brother Jason when he notched his first winner.
Maskiell has wanted to be a jockey ever since he can remember so snaring his first winner is a major step towards him achieving his ultimate goal.
Listen to what apprentice Kyle Maskiell had to say after his first win.
Related information
- Tasracing.com.au race replay’s and StrideMASTER reports..
- Get the inside line with this week’s Punters Dashboard – Racing for Smart Punters.
Watch the 2015 Betfair Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival Tassie Carnival Contenders.