After just four starts, first-time trainer Michael Ramstein is celebrating his maiden harness racing victory thanks to a filly he bred, part-owns, and trains – the promising three-year-old All Things Spicy.

The filly’s breakthrough win came at Cranbourne on Sunday (June 1), capping off a consistent start to her racing career that already included two second placings and a third.

“It was a pretty emotional day.  I definitely didn’t go thinking we could win it, because you never know what can happen and she’s still learning her craft, but she did a great job,” Ramstein said.

“She got her name because she can be a bit spicy…but she just loves racing.

“We had all the owners on track, so there were a few tears.  I was just in shock when she crossed the line. We’ve been blessed.”

The ownership group includes Michael and his wife Martine, Martine’s mum Zola and brother Cameron Barnett, as well as neighbours and friends Tim and Julie Dunn, and Andrew and Ariane Dunn.

All Things Spicy led throughout and held off her rivals to win by 1.4 metres from My Ultimate Luigi (Chris Svanosio-Taylor Youl) and Ileana (Ken Tippett-Jordan Leedham), perfectly rated by reinsman John Caldow in a mile rate of 1:59.7 (30.1, 32.9, 29.6, 27.2).

Though relatively new to harness racing, the Ramsteins are lifelong horse people, previously involved in the world of Western horses. Their foray into the trots began with a small ownership share in a pacer named Fowsands.

“We bought a small share just to see if we would like it, and I think we only won one race (in 2021). But we absolutely loved the interaction with the horses. We fell in love with the sport and how rewarding it is to work with them,” he said.

Their next step was to purchase a broodmare – Vernnay, the dam of All Things Spicy – from Barry Fulwood after the passing of his father, respected breeder Arthur Fulwood.

“She was beautifully bred, as all of Arthur’s horses were, and we raced her until she was five or six,” Ramstein said.

“She won a couple of races and had $7000 in the bank. I thought she was about at her mark and said to the owners that we could probably win another one – but we might give all that back trying. Or, we could use the prizemoney to finance a foal. They decided to go that way – so Vernnay paid for her baby.”

That decision produced All Things Spicy, and cleared the way for Ramstein to realise a personal goal.

“I had a dream when we retired Vernnay and started breeding from her that I would be owner-trainer-breeder – and I guess that came true at Cranbourne,” he said.

“We have just All Things Spicy and another (Poster Boy) two-year-old gelding. They’re very special to us. Vernnay was very special to us, and her babies are too – they’re our pets, really.”

All Things Spicy’s win was also déjà vu for Caldow, who drove Vernnay to victory in her final race at Melton in August 2020.

Ramstein’s path to becoming a trainer began under the guidance of Mick Hughes, who trained Vernnay and helped shape his approach.

“I used to help Mick out, and I got my trainer’s licence about 18 months ago while I was out there with him. Mick taught me everything I know and I count myself lucky to have spent so much time with such a great trainer.”

Based at Frankston, in Melbourne’s southeast, Ramstein trains at the Cranbourne Training Centre.

“I do shiftwork at Tip Top (bakery), and Martine does the afternoon shift with the horses – puts them on the walker, does the yards and feeds,” he said.

“And we couldn’t do it without the great community at the training centre. There’s always someone willing to give advice, help out, tip in with feeds, whatever – it’s an amazing place to be.

“I just hope that as an industry we can get back to somewhere that allows us to have more facilities like Cranbourne, where the average person can get involved and be part of the sport.”

Picture: Claire Weston Photography