Apprentice jockey Caitlin Hollowood marked a significant career milestone when Prestige Forever secured victory at Caulfield Heath.

Following 33 wins on country and provincial circuits across Victoria and New South Wales, Hollowood celebrated her inaugural metropolitan success aboard the Julius Sandhu-trained Prestige Forever in the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1500m) on Wednesday.

“It’s unreal,” Hollowood stated. “For a second, I thought we were beaten, but he really fought back and really dug in deep. I’m so happy to get the win, especially for Julius too. It was my first ride for him, so we’re starting off in a good way.”

Despite commencing from the widest barrier, Prestige Forever, a $12 chance, was challenged in the home straight but rallied to overcome Tom Dabernig’s stablemates Dantooine ($4.40) and Corro ($17) by a narrow margin.

Prestige Forever initially began his racing career under the care of the David Brideoake and Matt Jenkins stable, where he achieved a Listed St Albans Stakes win at Moonee Valley as a two-year-old colt.

He was subsequently transferred to Matt Laurie following Brideoake’s retirement from training, before eventually joining Sandhu’s Cranbourne stable.

Sandhu commented on the significant demands placed upon Hollowood during her debut ride for the stable with a horse that hasn’t always shown its best effort.

“We asked a lot of her as this guy had been taking the ‘mickey’ back home,” Sandhu explained. “We know he’s talented, but he has a bit of a good old think, so we just had to go and do something different. We drew the outside barrier, and I said to give him a good squeeze and get him to the front. I said to be aggressive, and she was, and she rated him well in front. Credit to the horse. He was headed at that furlong mark, but he fought deep and it’s good for the connections, and hopefully that’s the making of him. As a two-year-old he showed plenty but did not always have his mind on the job.”

Looking for the best Australian betting sites to wager on the next big race? Explore options at Australian betting sites.