NZ apprentice lands maiden Australian win

Star New Zealand apprentice Wiremu Pinn has landed his first winner on Australian soil guiding Mystery Moment to victory at Mornington.

Pinn arrived in Melbourne last week where he is on loan to Cranbourne-based trained Michael Kent.

After an unsuccessful day at Sandown on Saturday that netted the apprentice two seconds from six rides, Pinn guided Mystery Moment to victory in the Speedboat Bill Handicap (2000m) on Wednesday.

Pinn has now ridden 172 winners in his brief career, but under the rules can claim 3kg when riding at a metropolitan meeting in Melbourne.

John Leek took advantage of that 3kg claim as Mystery Moment ($4.80) raced to a neck victory over Red Columbine ($4.40) with Flash Mary ($6) a head away third.

“Don’t anyone use him, he’s no good,” Leek joked post-race.

“The mail is he’s pretty good and I got on to him early. My mate Phil Roost said I had to get him, he’s a whizz and obviously he is.

“He went to take that run on the fence, but there wasn’t much room there, so when they got going, he got to the outside.

“It wasn’t a soft win, but she won and that’s the main thing.”

Pinn said he had the help of jockey Ethan Brown who walked the track with apprentice prior to Wednesday’s meeting.

Brown is still recovering from injuries received in a fall at Flemington in March.

“I love it here. I’ve only been here four or five days, but things are going really well,” Pinn said.

“I’m grateful for all the support I’m getting.

“My manager Phillip Roost is doing a very good job with my rides and thank you to Ethan Brown.

“He came over this morning helped me walk the track.

“I probably wouldn’t have ridden that race that way if it wasn’t for him showing me around.”