For Tony Vlaeminck, Polly Peachum's all-the-way win at Kilmore this week was as special as a big race victory.

After a two decade hiatus as a diver, Vlaeminck steered Polly Peachum to the finish line for his first win since 1999.

Of greater significance to Vlaeminck was he shared the win with his great friends Bruce and Val Morgan.

Bruce trains the horse and the trio are part-owners of the filly.

Bruce, who won Harness Racing Victoria's most prestigious individual award the Gordon Rothacker Medal in 2015, was the reason Vlaeminck returned to harness racing.

"I got back into the game two years ago when Bruce had a stroke,'' 53-year-old Vlaeminck said.

"My boys were old enough to do their own thing, so I decided to come back and help Bruce and Val out.

"I've known Bruce and Val for 40 years...they're wonderful people and I owe them a lot.

"I started going out to his stables when I was 12 years old. My dad had horses with Bruce and I'd go out there and jog the horses.

"I probably started fast work with the horses when I was about 16."

It was through Bruce and Val that Vlaeminck met his wife, Sonya.

"Sonya was from Swan Hill and she got a job as nurse here in Bendigo and was boarding with Bruce and Val,'' Vlaeminck said.

"One thing led to another and the next thing you know we were going out.

"Bruce and Val have been a huge part of my life. Bruce has a few battles these days, but he still gets out in the stables.

"He won't work the horses in the cart anymore, but he still feeds the horses and does the boxes.

"Bruce and Val were so excited when we won the race. It was a real pick me up for Bruce and Val, which was the most pleasing thing about it all."

Driving had been a hobby for Vlaeminck from the late 1980s through to the end of 1990s.

He won a Bendigo junior drivers' premiership and formed a winning combination with Bruce Morgan-trained pacers.

By the end of the 1990s commitments with his young family made it tough to travel to races and he pulled the pin on his driving career.

"I never lost interest in the sport, but I didn't renew my licence,'' he said.

"When I came back a couple of years ago I just had a trial licence and then at the start of this year I got my race licence.

"It worked out really well, particularly when regional racing was introduced.

"I only drive for Bruce. I don't put myself out there, I'm just happy to help Bruce out.

"Bruce has a two-year-old filly called Sweet Appeal that he really rates. She ran third at her first start and now she's having a break.

"It's a lot of fun and I really enjoy it."

Wednesday's win on Polly Peachum was impressive.

From gate five, Vlaeminck urged the filly straight to the front and that's where she stayed.

"She went pretty good last start when she ran third in a fast-run race at Bendigo,'' Vlaeminck said.

"We changed a bit of gear on her, put her in an open bridle and worked her a bit stronger and it did the trick.

"She's got good speed at the start, so we were always going to go forward with her.

"We had options to either lead with her or take a sit, but when there was no pressure we were able to lead.

"She's a beautiful little filly to drive. She's always been speedy, but hasn't been the strongest horse.

"Now that she's a bit older she can handle some stronger work and it seems to be working for her."

Vlaeminck said it took a while to sink in that he'd won the race.

"It was quite surreal because there'd been a few times where Polly had been in front, but she was run down by the swoopers down the outside,'' Vlaeminck said.

"I was waiting for the swoopers again this time, but they didn't come and Polly was too good.

"Here's hoping she can continue that form."

Making the victory even sweeter for the stable was the fact Polly Peachum is the granddaughter of Morgan's champion mare Mother Courage.

Mother Courage won 30 races and was placed 38 times in 81 starts and earned $462,520 in stake money.

"Polly Peachum's mum Ruby Slippers was also a good horse. She won nine races,'' Vlaeminck said.

"Polly is the first foal out of Ruby Slippers. Ruby Slippers got better as she got older and we're hoping that's the case with Polly."

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