The John McConnell trained Kandahari gained a maiden success at Gowan today, winning the Gowran Golf Membership Apprentice Handicap under jockey Killian Leonard.

Following the daughter of Archipenko’s two and a half lengths win, McConnell stated “she deserved that I think, as she kept coming up against well handicapped horses.

“I'm delighted to get a winner for the owner (Kirsten Rausing) as she has been a good supporter and she came from a very good nursery having been bred by her. It's also an important win as it's a young family.

“She should be a better horse next year as she has still a bit of growing to do and seems very genuine.

“We'll give her a couple of weeks and then she might run again. She's not too bad and I wish I had a few more like her.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson