STAWELL trainer Dane Smith landed his first metropolitan win when Get Out Of Town saluted in the Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap at Sandown.
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It was a late decision to take Get Out Of Town to Melbourne, but it proved to be a good one as it provided the 43-year-old with his first city success as a trainer.
Jockey Jack Hill took Get Out Of Town to the front early, allowing him time to relax.
Hill found himself in the prime position after favourite Knead The Dough had pulled hard and worked his way up towards the front.
Get Out Of Town sprinted clear at the 200 metre mark and managed to hold off a late challenge from in form galloper Diamond Jim, who was shooting for his third straight win at Sandown.
The win was made all the more memorable due to the fact that Get Out Of Town was Smith's first winner as a trainer, winning the Avoca Cup in October last year.
"I guess you could say he is my favourite," Smith said.
"Mainly because he was my first winner as a trainer, but he is a really good horse.
"It's great to get my first win and first metropolitan win with the same horse."
The gelding started his career at Mick Price's stables where he first caught the eye of Smith.
Smith had been working as a track rider for Mick Price for 12 years, riding some of the best horses including Get Out Of Town, but when the opportunity arose for him to do some training of his own and become an owner at the same time, he jumped at it.
Having worked with Get Out Of Town previously, he was the perfect horse for Smith to purchase to start his business.
Get Out Of Town spent some time in limbo while Smith worked at getting his trainers licence, but since then it's been smooth sailing despite one hiccup.
At the end of last year, Get Out Of Town had a minor operation on his throat which he is showing no signs of now.
"It wasn't major, but it needed to happen," Smith said.
Prior to his win at Sandown, the six year old gelding had been running well with little luck.
At his last start he had what Smith described as a 'super run' against tough opposition to finish fourth at Flemington.
Smith has now been training for 18 months and is loving what he is doing.
"I have always wanted to be a trainer," Smith said.
After becoming an apprentice jockey at the age of 14, Smith has long been involved in the industry, as has his wife Heidi.
Smith now plans to see how Get Out Of Town recovers from his run before he enters him in the Warracknabeal Cup.
If he doesn't run at Warracknabeal, Smith said he would be happy to follow the country cup circuit with his charge.