Sedgewick and connections including Gavin Beever (left of horse)

A highlight of any racing person's career is that moment when they cheer home their first winner.

And it was that sensation that newly licensed Bendigo trainer Gavin Beever experienced at Benalla on Sunday - his promising filly Sedgewick saluting in impressive style at only her third outing.

Beever, who boasts a strong background in equine management, is an experienced and gifted horseman who obtained his trainers licence only three months ago.

Licensed to train horses syndicated by Cumbre Stud which he runs with wife Heather, Gavin has started with a small but selective team of nicely bred youngsters.

Sedgewick, a daughter of Favorite Trick and a half sister to the city winners Jeune's Edge and Youths Edge, caught Gavin's eye at last year's Melbourne Premier Sale where she fetched $90,000.

Given time to mature, she debuted at Bendigo on September 10 and was an encouraging fourth. Improving to finish runner up at Kyneton eight days later, she then headed to Benalla where she was kept safe at 7/2.

Putting on display her good natural pace, she travelled well in second placing for Luke Nolen who gave her a tap at the top of the straight. The race was over from that moment, Sedgewick drawing clear by 1.3 lengths.

For Gavin it was a satisfying moment...

"Sedgewick has always shown us a lot, she just needed a bit of time - and she will furnish into a very nice filly in the autumn."

"It is a fantastic feeling to train my first winner and I am very appreciative of the support of my wonderful family, staff and an enthusiastic bunch of owners - whom we consider friends more than just clients."

Gavin, who also breaks in and pre-trains Cumbre's horses, has an excellent eye for a horse - his first two syndicated horses both being metropolitan winners; the multiple stakes placed Testa Reale (fifth in last year's Blue Diamond Stakes) and the talented Starspect.

Cumbre Stud Media Release Published 09/10/06