From "handful" to feature winner

FORMER "handful" trotter Winnies Dream has been sent for a well-earned spell.

Beginning the season as somewhat of a pest, Winnies Dream has ended the year with a hat-trick following her success in a Home Grown Final in Melton last Friday.

Thrilled with the three-year-old's progress, trainer Lisa Miles hopes Winnies Dream can continue her rise in 2025.

"She wasn't the most tractable horse at the start of the season," Miles said. "Even 10 weeks ago I would never have thought she'd win three in a row including a feature.

"She has come a long way in the last couple of months and I'm pretty impressed with her.

"That's it for her campaign now, she has earned a good break and will probably spend the rest of summer off."

With Miles in the cart, the daughter of Aldebaran Eagle led throughout from barrier three to score by three-and-a-half metres from Kyvalley Mist, with Dressedupinthecity 82 metres away third.

Leased by Miles' son Alfie, Winnies Dream rated 2:00.8 over 1720 metres.

"I knew she would be hard to beat, but you can never be too confident with young trotters especially," Miles said.

"Brent's (Lilley) filly (Kyvalley Mist) was always the biggest danger and I was glad we were able to come away with the win."