Teenage Tamworth reinswoman Maddi Simon was making her driving debut behind Mammals Rockstar and featured in the winner’s circles straight up.

“It was a shock to me to have my first win with my first runner,” said Simon, who competed in the race with a bad case of tonsillitis.

“It was a dream come true,” she added. “First drive for your first win. It’s something to be proud of.”

The McCarthy High School student, who turned 16 on Monday, made her debut with a horse owned and trained by her grandfather, Len Simon.

She was introduced to the sport through Len, who has shown her how to handle horses.

“It has been all Pop,” she said. 

“He slowly introduced me to the horses – working with him and then doing fast work and then to the race track.”

She had the mandatory 20 trial drives before acquiring her reinsman licence to compete in registered races.

She was not fazed by making her debut on the big finals night.

“Pop told me there was going to be plenty of people watching so I just kept in my mind it was like one of the trial drives,” she said.

Commencing from the four barrier, she worked her race plan out as the race unfolded.

Queensland pacer Bertils Delight (Julie Weidemann) went to the lead from the three barrier while Simon slotted into racing out in the breeze.

Mattgregor Star (Lola Weidemann) then took Mammals Rockstar’s racing position, which enhanced Simons chances after being placed into the one-by-one.

“My horse loves the one-by-one and I let it happen,” she said. “I knew she would go good from there.”

Racing up the back on the final occasion, Simon elected to make her claim on the race and come three wide around the final turn.

“I thought I could either get stuck here or go. It was a good time to go,” she said.

Mammals Rockstar had a half neck win over Mattgregor Star, with Kiama Sutra (James Sutton) 2.8 metres away third.

“She is definitely my favourite horse,” Simon said. “She is my girl.”