Rocco Villiva would be on cloud nine today after training his first winner at just 18 years of age.
The Red Cliffs local teamed up with driver Jordan Leedham, who piloted Shireen to victory in the Lucky Member Ash Hill Pace at Mildura last night.
Villiva was over the moon when he caught up with Toby McKinnon on SENTrack’s TrotsLife this morning.
“It was a big thrill and she had been going pretty well,” he said. “She has been a nice horse for us and it’s good to crack one with her finally last night.”
Shireen has had plenty of homes throughout her career – including that of master trainer David Aiken – and was only Villiva’s second starter at the races.
“We bought her off Benstud, so they just raced her and won their Vic and New South Wales bonuses,” he said.
”They advertised her, and we just saw her, and we liked her, and we bought her.”
Listen to the full chat with Villiva and Toby McKinnon on SEN’S TrotsLife below.
