By Jordan Gerrans
Emma Hargrave has spent long periods of her life helping to keep horses fit and healthy and now the doctor is also training winners.
The Hendra-based Hargrave is a veterinarian by trade and has over the last couple of years began to prepare a small team of gallopers herself.
She has long been involved in the racing industry, riding track work in Victoria and Queensland, as well as running a small breeding operation with a few mares.
The 39-year-old broke through for her first win as a licensed trainer late last week with a galloper she has been hands-on with since his birth.
It was Master Of Design gelding Biggie who provided Hargrave her maiden victory.
She is also a part-owner in the six-year-old.
“It was a pretty good feeling, I have had that horse since he was a baby,” Hargrave said.
“I foaled him down so to get a win with him was pretty good. He has been a handy horse.”
Biggie led into the Gatton straight on Thursday afternoon in Benchmark 65 grade under the urgings of hoop Adin Thompson and survived a late dive from the Mark Callaghan-trained Harryandthetiger at the winning post.
It was the gelding's sixth career victory and first since transferring into the stable of Hargrave.
The busy vet was not at the races to enjoy the breakthrough triumph, instead at work.
“He is no world beater but he has been a handy little horse,” she said of Biggie.
“He is a little horse and it is hard not to like him because he tries very hard.”