Trainer Andrew Carston was thanking the late Neill Ridley following Caitlyn Jay’s win in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m) at Ashburton on Thursday.
Ridley who passed away from cancer earlier this month was the mare’s former trainer.
“When Neill got sick, he suggested to her owner Robin Laidlaw that he should send her to me to train,” Carston said.
“Neill and I got on really well and I was honored to get her to train and so it was\ nice to get another win to repay his faith in me.
“He had won trial with her himself, so he knew that she had ability.”
Caitlyn Jay has now won two from five starts for Carston. Her first win came at her first start in March, also at Ashburton.
“She hasn’t had a lot of luck since her first win,” Carston said.
“I was pretty confident that she would run well yesterday, she drew a good gate and there was a bit of fire in the track and I think she appreciates that too.
“She’s quite a nice mare but she doesn’t show a lot at home, she’s very laidback and a bit of a quiet achiever, she just eats and sleeps and only ever does what you ask her to do, but she does have ability.”
Caitlyn Jay was ridden by Jacob Lowry who settled her mid-field from barrier two and opted to keep her just off the fence throughout, he found a gap as the field rounded the bend and ran on to win by three-quarters of a length.
Bred by Laidlaw, Caitlyn Jay is by The Oaks Stud-based sire Niagara out of the winning Flying Spur mare China Tea.
Carston said he was undecided on when or where her next start would be, but he would monitor how she came through the race.
Carston Racing Stables also had two placings on Thursday with Rumour Has It third in the Kaiso Syndicate R65 (2200m) and Sorceress third in the Thank You Norm and Leanne Stewart R74 (1400m).
“It’s good to have Rumour Has It back in form and Sorceress is a horse I’ve always really liked,” Carston said.
“She finished fourth in the Group Three War Decree Stakes last year and then she got colic ten days out from the 1000 Guineas.
“We nearly lost her so it’s great to see her back in form and that’s been her best run this prep.
“She’ll race over cup week I’m just not sure when yet.”
Carston said he would have a few runners over the NZ Cup Week headlined by multiple stakes winning mare Miss Federer who will run in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes Handicap on Wednesday November 11.
“She went ok first up and she will improve from that – she’s never been great first up,” he said.
Click here to watch a replay of Caitlyn Jay's win.