It was a popular win both on and off the track when Rippin Good Feelin greeted the judge in the opening event at Tamworth Paceway.
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Not only did the Mr Feelgood-Willshe Rip three-year-old gelding break his maiden status, but for owners Jamie Donovan and Rachel Walsh the win certainly made their day - and it was reward for their early starts on the training track.
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Jamie Donovan, an accountant with PKF Accountants in Tamworth, races Rippin Good Feelin along with his life partner Rachel Walsh, who savoured her first winner as an owner after spending a lifetime in the sport.
Rippin Good Feelin showed all the indications in his previous start that he was about to break through for a win, with reinsman Donovan hoping he could secure the right run.
"On his run last week, we thought all he needed was luck," said Donovan, after the gelding finished second to Lexy Moo on that occasion.
With a second row draw from the eight barrier on Thursday, Donovan found himself racing three back on the inside running line and wondering if the cards were going to fall his way.
"It was a strong race tempo and I wasn't too worried about getting off the fence," said Donovan. "His run was pretty good."
With Josie Ella leading the field and Blissful Identity racing out in the breeze, Donovan switched to the outside running line in the back straight on the final occasion, before switching to an inside run.
"He was a bit rough in his gear and wasn't exactly on the bit so I went back to the inside and he got smoother in his run and we got to the line nice," said Donovan.
Donovan guided Rippin Good Feelin to an inside run to secure a head win over Blissful Identity (Tom Ison), with $2.60 race favourite Josie Ella (Mark Callaghan) a half head away in third place.
Rippin Good Feelin had a mile rate of 1min 59.7sec for the 1609m journey.
He returned $17 for the win. And now that he has notched up that first win, Donovan and Walsh will be expecting more - with the Dam Willshe Rip progeny all producing wins so far - Bella Rippin has nine wins) and Seven Rippin Aces has seven wins.
"I raced the mother Willshe Rip," said Donovan. "She had five foals, with three making it to the races and producing wins. So it has been good so far."
Donovan also picked up The Pub Group Drive of the Day.
