Tuesday, 4 September 2018: Rookie trainer Craig Weeding’s provincial breakthrough on his home track at Hawkesbury on September 1 carried extra significance.

Not only did he produce a superb training performance to win with a five-year-old mare making her debut, but he also broke her in.
Caliera Gem, with Robbie Brewer aboard, made a dream start to her racetrack career when she landed the AVEO Bella Vista Maiden Handicap (1100m) against her own sex.
“Yes, it was a pretty special result for everyone connected with the mare,” a delighted Weeding said.
“Caliera Gem’s owners Sue and Pip Middleton and Lisa Clark have been very patient, and it was great they were at the track to see her win.
“They bought Caliera Gam privately as a foal and I broke her in.
“Apart from being a slow maturer, the mare has had a few issues and little setbacks. Nothing serious, but enough to keep her from racing until now.”
Weeding’s first five wins were all achieved last season on country tracks. He had started horses at the provincials on only six occasions without any luck.
Understandably he wasn’t confident Caliera Gem could make a winning debut but expected her to be competitive.
“I was happy with how she trialled at Hawkesbury last month and went to the races thinking she could run well and hoping she could win,” Weeding said.
Weeding has eight horses in work, He also breaks in dressage horses.
Fellow Hawkesbury trainers Scott Singleton and Terry Croft also enjoyed weekend success.
Singleton scored with Alastriona at Goulburn last Friday for his second victory this season and Croft won his first race this season when No Escape scored at Mudgee on Sunday.
Alastriona showed that she can be effective on turf as well as synthetic tracks. Since joining Singleton’s team, her first four runs were on Canberra’s ACTON track for two wins and a second.
Croft won the Mudgee Mug with No Escape, who is unbeaten from three starts on the track – and all have been at 1400m.
Hawkesbury trainers have prepared 12 winners in just over the first month of the 2018-19 racing year.