aaron_bain | Aaron Bain News 60787 Dontdoubtlayla

Diminutive mare Don’tdoubtlayla produced a dazzling sprint to score a first up win at Oakbank on Wednesday, January 8 before a large ownership group.

Ridden by apprentice Isaac Sit for trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor, Don’tdoubtlayla came from last on the home turn in a field of eight to grab victory in the Klose’s Foodland Class One Handicap (1050m).

Backed from $4 to start $2.70 favourite, the four-year-old mare finished so fast she won by a half-length from Crown Riches ($10) with Jamaican Gold ($9.50), a similar margin away third.

Sit, who claimed 4kg off her 60kg allotted weight, allowed Don’tdoubtlayla to balance up at the tail of the field, some distance off the leaders who were going quick.

He angled her to the outside turning for home and the mare sprinted powerfully to grab victory.

Don’tdoubtlayla was purchased by Aaron Bain Racing from an online auction in August last year.

Formerly trained by Ciaron Maher, the mare was given a short break before being trained up at Angaston Park then moved to ABR’s Gawler stables for her final gallops.

Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor gave her two trials to ready her for a race return, one of which was at Oakbank.

Trainer Ned Taylor was impressed by the victory.

“She came from a long way back,” Taylor said.

“Young Isaac was nice and patient and she got there just in time. He didn’t panic, kept her balanced coming down the hill and really let her hit top gear.

“They went hard – there was always going to be that extra pace here with a lot of on-speed horses.

“They try to scoot here and get away from everyone, but Isaac did well and got them on the line.

“It was good to see quate a few of the ownership group on course to see her win. They can go to the bar now and celebrate.”

Winning jockey Isaac Sit said Don’tdoubtlayla had sprinted powerfully.

“The horse jumped neutral, and I let her settle where she was happy,” Sit said.

“She travelled very nice underneath me and hit the line strongly.”