Winkelmann toughs out fresh win

Winkelmann shrugged off a frustrating last campaign to return in winning style at Sandown on Monday.

Having finished placed four of her six starts in the Spring, the daughter of Rip Van Winkle won first-up for the first time in her career thanks to an excellent ride by jockey Damian Lane.

"She began really well and we were able to follow the leader, and even though we hit the lead early she toughed it out to the line to get the job done," Lane said post race, who has ridden the mare to three wins and three placings from six rides.

Trainer Danny O'Brien was thrilled the Trelawney Stud owned mare could win first-up.

"She only had a short let-up at our Barwon Heads facility which allowed her to retain much of her residual fitness and she was very good today," O'Brien said.

"She was very consistent without winning last preparation in some good races, so hopefully she can continue her winning form in the coming weeks."

The four-year-old kiwi's third win has her closing in on $100,000 in prizemoney which has been earned from 13 career starts.

Pic by Racing Photos