Reinswoman breaks 30-year drought

WELL-KNOWN horsewoman Kaylene Ward broke a long drought from the winners' circle yesterday.

Partnering Lovenus to victory in Maryborough, Ward registered her first success as a reinswoman in nearly 30 years.

Ward's previous triumph was with Shaken Steven in Terang on August 17, 1994.

In Ward's defence, she rarely drives, in fact, during the past decade she has only had six starts...three of those in the past month!

"I stopped driving for a long time and never really had plans of coming back," Ward said. "After having this mare for a few starts, Mum suggested I'd better off driving her since I know her best, which is why I started again.

"Lance Justice helped me with my trial drives and the process and I've driven her three times now.

"After her last start when she ran second I was pretty confident with her yesterday and she went accordingly."

Enjoying the run of the race behind the leader, Captain Graywood, from the pole, Lovenus was poised to be angled away from the pegs around the final bend when fortune came her way.

"She was travelling so well and I was waiting to make my run with her when the leader broke, which put her in front without coming off the pegs," Ward explained.

Proving too swift along the home straight, Lovenus cruised to a 17-metre win from Touchandgo, with Frankythefrenchman a half-neck away third.

Rating 1:59.3 over 1690 metres, the daughter of Love You broke her maiden at her 18th start.

"I have to thank Nathan Jack for me having her," Ward said. "I asked him to keep an eye out for one for me to lease and he suggested her.

"She was originally for sale, but I got her on lease...then not long after she got her, I decided to buy her as we fell in love with her.

"She can be a bit nasty and even bit my head which required stitches, but I don't mind a bit of attitude in a racehorse."