FRIENDLY Venture started out as a small filly and remains a small mare but she landed a big win in Monday's $22,000 Advanced Inland Security Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Tamworth.
The Michael Dobie-trained six-year-old daughter of Star Goose made light of a bad barrier (12) to finish a few lengths clear of runner-up Pass The Card (Sue Grills).
Friendly Venture was having her 10th start and had finished in the placings four times before the victory on December 23.
"She was small as a foal, still is a small mare but the owners have taken their time with her, she had a couple of half preps," Muswellbrook trainer Dobie said.
"She was tying up badly too, haven't had a bout of it this time."
Dobie has experimented with various feeds, "mixed and matched" he confided.
That, too, has paid off and he seems to have found the right formula now.
"She worked pretty good last Tuesday," he said after speaking to Sky Thoroughbred Central and telling their watchers "she was impressive today, really deserved that".
Greg Ryan rode the mare and added she had been "always going to win one".
"She always had trouble holding her position," he explained.
"Michael has got her eating better and is a lot stronger now."
Dobie doesn't have an immediate mission with her.
"Getting that maiden win out of the way was the main thing," the Muswellbrook mentor said.
