Michelle Fleming celebrated the biggest win of her training career when The Lion saluted in Friday's Ron Martin Memorial (1000m) at Walcha.
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Fleming prepares a boutique team in Tamworth and has found an exciting prospect in the son of Arlington.
The Lion ($6.00) was given a lovely midfield run by apprentice jockey Mollie Partridge and produced a slashing late sectional to run down plucky My Little Diva in the shadows of the post. It was the perfect time to break his maiden status with the first-prize cheque of $17,980.
"This is the biggest amount of prizemoney I've ever won," Fleming said post-race.
"He's still learning the ropes, but he has a really good mind and put it all together."
The Lion put the writing on the wall with a slashing second behind Larlabrook on debut at Tamworth last month and Fleming is confident her charge has a bright future.
"He settled well in the race and I think he may go further," she said.
"I said to Mollie he hadn't seen a track like this, so guide him home and she did that."
Among The Lion's owners is former leviathan bookmaker and racing administrator Bruce McHugh, who stands Arlington at Tamalee Farm in Tamworth.
Partridge's 1.5kg claim proved decisive in the finish as The Lion prevailed by a length.
"He's definitely still got a bit to learn and is quite green, but he's done a super job today to pick up that horse.
"He'll probably get up to 1400m in time."
