UNDERRATED reinsman Phil Mascall has been waiting for about two years to drive his first winner but at Tattersall’s Park last night (Sunday) he made a good thing of it by securing a double.
Mascall guided the Ivan Belbin-trained Ashinaga to victory in Col Saunders Memorial to notch his first winner and he then proceeded to drive his father’s horse Paul Albert to a brilliant victory in the feature race on the card, the Willows Tavern Light Harness Cup final.
It was a night to remember for the 26-year-old who gained his driver’s licence just over two years ago.
“This is absolutely brilliant,” Mascall said.
“Getting my first winner was a great feeling. I’ve been close so many times but to actually get it done is great,” he said.
Ashinaga showed good gate speed to lead from gate two and Mascall rated the four-year-old well.
He waited until turning for home before calling on his charge for the supreme effort and the gelding had enough in reserve to hold out Go Go Cisco and Broughton.
His drive aboard Paul Albert, that he part-owns with his father Paul Mascall, was brilliant as he had to weave a passage clear of the pack in the home straight to secure the desired result.
Listen to what driver Phil Mascall had to say about securing his first winner – click here .