Tears flowed and the locals cheered when quality sprinter Lucky Leak scored a brilliant win in today’s listed $150,000 Weetwood Handicap (1200m) at Toowoomba.

Trainer Patrick Sexton paid tribute to his late mother as he waited for his stable star to return to the mounting yard a winner.

“It’s very exciting,” an emotional Sexton said. “This is the biggest thrill I’ve ever had.”

“It’s just fantastic – what it’s done for my father and I really need to thank mum, up above – she gave me a big push.”

“It was a good win. Bobby (El-Issa, winning rider) has really worked him out and he was confident with him.”

“He was just super impressive,” he added.

Sexton was reluctant to take any credit for the win today or his ongoing training success.

“I give full credit to the horse as well as those people who have got behind me to get the horse to where he is today.”

“He’s a very tenacious horse and when you’ve got the cattle it makes things easier.”

The win wasn’t the first for Sexton, earlier in the day he saddled up the quality three-year-old Extreme Mover to victory. He is owned in similar interests to Lucky Leak.

At the post the heavily backed Lucky Leak ($3.80-$2.80 fav) held a length and a quarter margin over Craiglea Falcon ($11-$14).

The previously unbeaten Toowoomba galloper Silver Scholar ($6.50-$7.50) was another neck back in third place.

Lucky Leak, now the winner of eight races and earner of over $317,000, was purchased by his senior part owner Frank Mittiga for $45,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Lucky Leak is one of five winners for the 100% winner producer Empire Lady – herself a four time winning daughter of Tsarbaby.

Twice successful at Doomben, Empire Lady followed in the hoofsteps of her dam Marion Miss and grandam Peggy Sue, who were also multiple city winners.

Lucky Leak is a son of former top Oaklands Stud sire Iglesia – he completed the big Toowoomba double when his son, the Robert Heathcote trained Humma won the Cup with Larry Cassidy aboard.

Winner: Lucky Leak (Iglesia-Empire Lady)
Race: Toowoomba TC Weetwood Handicap LR (1200m)
Sold for: $45,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Trevannah (As Agent)
Buyer: Frank Mittiga
Earnings: $317,250
Owner(s): Mr F Mittiga & Mrs ML Mittiga, Mr T & Mrs ML Mittiga & Mrs ML McInerney & Mr M McInerney
Trainer: Patrick Sexton (Toowoomba)

PICS – Dan Costello.