GEORGE Osborne had every reason to feel proud following the win of his Bendigo track specialist Reine Happy at said venue on Friday.
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But even the Kyneton trainer had to concede - and happily - that it was 'all about Tayla'.
Osborne, who has closed to within one win of 40 in a remarkable 2019-20 season, was referring to winning rider Tayla Childs, who was thrilled to notch her first win as an apprentice.
It took just 13 rides for Childs, the daughter of champion rider Greg Childs and twin sister of last year's Blue Diamond Stakes winner Jordan Childs, to open her win account.
Her previous 12 rides included a trio of seconds, most notably aboard Reine Happy, at the eight-year-old gelding's last start at Donald a fortnight ago.
Childs' four-kilogram claim would prove pivotal, as the son of Good Journey and Reine Sauvage held on for a tight .3 length win over Lake's Folly after leading comfortably at the 100m.
"It couldn't have been better - it was all about Tayla today," Osborne said.
"It was fantastic and I'm very happy for her.
"The horse just does what he does, he's a great sort of horse for these kids starting off.
"He's won 12 races now and most of them have been won the same way. He loves Bendigo.
"But good on Tayla, I had Jordy for the last part of his apprenticeship and he did a great and job and has gone on to what he is today.
"I'm sure Tayla will follow suit."
Four of Reine Happy's have now come at Bendigo, where he has had 10 starts for a further three placings.
He was ridden at hs most recent Bendigo win by apprentice Kiran Quilty, while Ben Allen was aboard the consistent gelding for his other two wins in 2015 and '16.
Osborne conceded a few nervous moments towards the end of the race, but never doubted Reine Happy's ability to pull through in the heavy 8 going.
"The only time I was concerned was the last 100m, he started wilting a little and probably got to the fence which is not the ideal ground down the straight," he said.
"But it was pretty comfortable. He's got a super record here at 1300m.
"Win, lose or draw, I know he was going to give his best, which is what he did.
"He just didn't get there the other day at Donald, so today was a great tonic for him."
A 12th career win at start number 57 pushed Reine Happy's earnings over the $200,000 mark.
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