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Alana Cameron first win Smarter VC.
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Patience paid off for Alana Cameron when she produced an ice cool steer to notch her the first win of her driving career with Smarter VC at Addington on Friday night.
The reinswoman showed poise beyond her 18 years of age to notch win number one in just her ninth career drive behind the 8yr-old trained by her partner, Matt Purvis.
Smarter VC produces his best when saved for one late dash and Cameron allowed him to do that by not resisting any temptation to work the pacer in to the clear before the home turn.
It was not until the Washington VC gelding rallied hard under Cameron’s urgings and crossed the line in front that the junior driver realised the magnitude of what she had achieved.
“It was definitely more special than I thought it would be, I was so relieved after the line,” the junior driver said.
Cameron and Purvis work together at the trainer’s Woodend Beach stable.
Purvis has been the main supporter of the aspiring reinswoman’s career, so far, and she was able to reward his faith with her impressive drive behind Smarter VC.
“He has a really good supporter, which has been absolutely fantastic,” Cameron said.
“And it helps that I get to work the horses at home, so I know them a bit better.”
Cameron said her lineage meant she was destined to be involved in harness racing.
Her Grandfather, Ray Souness, was formerly a trainer and her parents, Paul and Vicki Cameron, have been involved in the sport as breeders and owners.
“Mum and Dad bred horses and Grandad trained horses, so I was pretty much bred in to the industry whether I liked it or not.” Cameron said.
There have been no complaints from Cameron that she has found herself working in the sport.
That is because she feels she has found her calling.
“I am loving it, absolutely loving it and I am very lucky to call it a job,” the reinswoman said.
Driving her first winner meant Cameron ticked off the goal all young drivers strive to achieve first in their careers.
With the talent she has shown already, her next goal could be chased down at short notice.
“I have ticked the first goal off, which was to get a winner, which was good.”
“Maybe I will aim for five wins for the season.”
“I will just try to keep learning and try not to get in to the stipes’ room too many times.”
“And just take something good from every drive and move forward from the bad ones.”
Cameron has one chance to notch her second career win over the weekend.
She drives Paul’s Verdict in a junior drivers event at Oamaru on Sunday.
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