Last Saturday’s victory for Gunnedah trainer Gavin Groth in race six at the Boggabri Cup race meet at Riverside Racecourse was one to remember, as his apprentice Hannah Johnston was the jockey.

It was Johnston’s first win under Groth, since she began riding for him less than six months ago.

This year’s Boggabri Cup race meet was something of a mixed bag for Groth, who had a fifth placing in race two and a seventh placing in race five.

Groth was also scheduled to have one runner – Injair – in one of the feature races (the final race named ‘Boggabri Cup’), but it was a late scratching after being hurt in the stables.

Although there was naturally some disappointment at the scratching, Groth said, “That’s racing.”

In any case, nothing could take the gloss off Johnston’s winning ride in the Boggabri Rsl race.

Powerstone, which had three wins in seven weeks around the middle of last year, subsequently had a 24-week spell before achieving sixth placings at Tamworth, Walcha and Quirindi last month.

Groth said Powerstone had raced among “really good company” last month, and was running into form which suggested a win might not be far away.

“At Quirindi she was in the lead with 100 metres to go,” he said.

“Sometimes they need two or three runs to get into form and fitness.”

Groth said the barrier draw helped win race six last Saturday, as Powerstone didn’t start too strongly but was along the rails which meant she could push up.

“Being in barrier one was the quickest way home,” Groth said.

The Gunnedah trainer said there were no specific plans or strategies for Johnston, as Groth didn’t want to complicate things.

“I just left it to Hannah. Kudos to her, she got the job done,” he said.

Groth also said she was a lovely person who worked hard.

Johnston will ride again for Groth at this Saturday’s races in Narrabri, although Groth said he was unsure when Powerstone would run its next race.

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