Belgian reinsman Sidney Van Den Brande is hoping his first winning drive on Australian soil is a sign of bigger things to come.
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Van Den Brande opened his account on Celebrity Guest on his newly adopted home track in Ballarat on Sunday night.
Celebrity Guest is trained by Emma Stewart at Cardigan, where Van Den Brande is working.
He said he greatly appreciated the opportunity Stewart and her partner Clayton Tonkin were giving him to find his way in the industry in Australia.
The 28-year-old, who had a stint with another leading trainer David Aiken at Avenel before joining the Stewart stable, said he was hoping for a long-term stay in Australia.
He said he was enjoying the experience and hoped the breakthrough would lead to more opportunities.
Van Den Brande found the lead on Celebrity Guest, which was having her first race start in almost a year, and ran their rivals off their legs.
The Belgian has worked with leading trainers in countries such as France, Sweden and the United States. He said the Australian success was also his 50th career win.
CELEBRITY Guest was one of six consecutive wins by Ballarat district stables at the twilight meeting.
Larry Lynch (Gordon) scored with The Cullector ($19.20) in a R0 pace, 1710m; Steve Martin (Kingston) saluted with Backten Onhim ($1.90 favourite) in a TR0-TR1 trot, 2200m; Paul Rowse (Ross Creek) produced Savesomtimetodream ($4.90) for his first win since November, 2015, in an R5/better pace, 2200m; Ash Herbertson (Burrumbeet) won with Cityneak ($9.90) in an R2-R4 pace, 2200m; and David Murphy (Dunnstown) led all the way with Young Janie ($2.60 favourite) in a three-year-old pace, 1710m.
BALLARAT and District Trotting Club showcases three feature races on Friday night, headed up by the group 2 $30,000 John Slack Memorial Trotters’ Cup, 2200m.
The nine-race card also includes the $15,000 Active Electrical 2yo Rising Star, 2200m, and $15,000 Colin and Heather Holloway 3yo Classic 1609m, which will feature Victoria Derby winner Our Little General.
The Club will also honour life member and past president, the late Brian Frawley, with a race named in his honour.