Personal milestone for astute trainer

ASTUTE horseman Adam Stephens notched a personal milestone last night.

Fresh from a double in Bendigo 24 hours earlier, Stephens registered his 100th training win when Emily Vincent proved too good in Ballarat.

Admitting to harbouring a few nerves heading into the card, Stephens stated he is relieved as much as thrilled to reach the ton.

"I knew the 100 was coming up, so I was a little nervous," Stephens said. "I sort of kept to myself a bit as I waited around for her race.

"I'm pretty happy to get it out of the way and now I'll have to start working on the next 100!"

Making her debut for Stephens, Emily Vincent was given time to settle from her second row draw before reinsman James Herbertson angled the daughter of Vincent into a three-wide trail.

Proving too slick during the latter stages, Emily Vincent cruised to a seven-metre win from Arklow, with Nothing Sweeter two-and-a-half metres away third in 1:57.4 over 1710 metres.

"She'd had three weeks off before I got her and came here in good condition," Stephens said. "Since I've had her I have changed a few things with her, including gear, and I think the routine we have works with her.

"I've been working on trying to teach her to sit and sprint, and although she was keen last night, she was still able to sit in.

"She's only lightly-raced and I'm positive she's still got a bit of improvement in her...in fact, I think she can get down to metropolitan class."