A frustrating series of minor placings ended for consistent mare Lou Lou’s Choice when she fought out a gusty win in northern Victoria.
The stable made a rare visit to the Gunbower Cup meeting with the five-year-old landing the Jack String Memorial Maiden (1100m) on Saturday.
Wearing blinkers for the first time and with Nathan Punch in the saddle, Lou Lou’s Choice from the start was locked in a two-horse war with Attaboom.
Going stride for stride in the home straight the two leaders cleared out from the rest of the field with Lou Lou’s Choice getting her head down on the line to score in a desperate finish.
Trainer Jamie Edwards said Lou Lou’s Choice looked well placed at Gunbower away from provincial class and the blinkers were added for extra insurance.
“She had been running well in good maiden class but just finding one better so we decided to take her up the bush to see if she could crack it for a win,” Jamie said.
“She’s been looking for the paddock after being up a long time so it’s good to see her get the win before going for a break.
Lou Lou’s Choice has had 10 starts and nine of them have been since she kicked off her campaign in April.
She finished second at Werribee in May and in her four lead-up runs to Gunbower posted a second at Horsham and thirds at Warracknabeal, Bendigo and Geelong.
Her win rewarded the patience of her owners Brian and Murray McKane, but even more excited was Emsley Lodge stablehand Ethan Mohr.
Ethan joined the team in August 2022 and Lou Lou’s Choice is his first winner as a strapper.