Golden Aspen finally got it right at her 13th trip to the racetrack – she won a Maiden Plate over 1450m from her market rival Coral Dawn, under a good ride from veteran Deon Sampson.

Sampson said: “She’s been unlucky, she’s always found one or two just better than her, but we got to the front today and I was able to dictate the pace. When she came off the false rail she quickened and ran through.”

Corne Spies said: “Lucky 13 for Golden Aspen, she has a lot of heart and this was well deserved. She’s been a little AT,, for us and I don’t think she will stop here, we’ll have some more fun with her.”

Golden Aspen races for Coenie Strydom, new in the stable, and Jannie de Lange. She’s a Klawervlei-bred by Pomodoro from Twin Aspens, by Fort Wood.