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Four years after her ambitions to be a jockey were squashed, Indianna Weinert was on top of the racing world after a tumultuous day at Pinjarra on Saturday.
Smooth Chino’s sizzling win in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) was Weinert’s greatest day in racing and judging by the manner in which the son of Maschino won, she might have to reserve more space in her trophy cabinet in upcoming months.
Smooth Chino, ridden by jockey Austin Galati, to make it a big race victory for the lesser lights of racing, is yet to beaten in three starts and possesses a powerful turn of foot that indicates he’s in line for an exciting future ahead.
The $250,000 Magic Millions feature ended spectacularly for Weinert, but it was anything but smooth sailing in the lead up and tested every ounce of her resolve.
It appeared the racing ‘gods’ were conspiring against her, not once, not twice, but three times with Smooth Chino arriving in the nick of time to take his place against 15 other rivals in the Magic Millions line up.
Weinert suffered two flat tyres on her way from her home base in Albany, arriving on course just 30 minutes before the gates flew open and when they did, she thought Smooth Chino looked a hopeless task from way back in the field.
It wasn’t the smoothest of preparations or the most conventional when tackling your first major race as a trainer, but for Weinert, although stressful, after a dramatic build up, there was a silver lining at the end.
“We got two flat tyres on the way to the races,” Weinert said on Tabradio.
“When we fixed the first one it bent something which affected another tyre 2km down the road.
“We had to limp into Williams and call anyone I could to help us.
“Ross, a farmer came and helped and knew a friend with a float.
“We unhitched mine, went and got that and it had no front windscreen either.
“We got to the races about 25 minutes before they jumped out the gates.
“Yeah, it was stressful.”
While Weinert’s frustration and turmoil was understandable, there was no cause for concern for the star of the show.
With all the fuss going on around him, Smooth Chino was living up to his name and taking it all in his stride.
“Smooth Chino is a very relaxed, laid-back horse,” Weinert said.
“Nothing worried him, he’s just a baby.
“He took it all very well, didn’t sweat up or anything.”
Weinert said Smooth Chino’s golden campaign has come to an end and he leaves on a high.
She’ll let the dust settle before mapping out future programs but says the horse has earned a well-deserved break.
“I haven’t planned anything just yet,” Weinert said.
“I just want to get him home and put him in the paddock.
“Give him a letdown and let him enjoy life.
“He’s been in work a long time.”
Smooth Chino stepped out for his first appearance at Mount Barker before winning again at Bunbury.
After being bought for $40,000 as a Magic Millions yearling, he’s in the positive, banking prizemoney of $169,800.
Weinert said it was love at first sight when she gazed her eyes on Smooth Chino.
“I just liked his type,” Weinert said.
“He was getting walked up for another trainer at the sales, I didn’t actually go and inspect him.
“I looked from a distance and said I want that, I want him.”
Weinert, from an eventing background, got involved in racing after working with leading Albany trainer, Roy Rogers.
She fell in love riding thoroughbreds and moved to Serpentine to commence her apprenticeship under the guidance of David Harrison.
She came close to making her riding debut after completing around 70 trials, but that dream was cut short because of weight.
Weinert commenced training in 2021 and has prepared 18 winners from 294 starters.
Her first winner came courtesy of Carlin Road, who got up in the last stride at Narrogin.
Julio Santarelli