Lane opens Group account in spring racing carnival

This time last year, Damian Lane was observing Victoria’s spring racing carnival from afar, plying his trade on bush tracks.

Fast-forward 12 months and the one-time Bunbury Turf Club gun apprentice is in the thick of the glamour after claiming his maiden Group level success on Saturday.

Lane, 19, relocated to Victoria more than two years ago to pursue his career in the saddle.

On Saturday he steered filly Se Sauver through a photo finish and a protest to claim a nailbiting victory in the Group 2 $220,000 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse.

“My first Group win — it was a nice milestone to achieve and hopefully it’s the first of many,” Lane said.

“It’s a good feeling. A win like this makes the move over feel like a pay off. It makes you feel like you’ve made the right decision.

Lane, the son of Bunbury trainer Michael Lane, said he had been pleased to notch the success on the big spring carnival stage.

“It’s a great time to be riding winners. Spring carnival time means the spotlight is on you,” he said.

“It’s good not just to be riding, but winning.

“This time last year I was beating round the bush. It’s good to taste the victory.”

Se Sauver finished a nose ahead of Star Fashion, while Solicit was third.

The Bel Esprit filly will now head to the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 16 before tackling the VRC Oaks at Flemington on November 7.