By Garry Dell
Former Italian apprentice jockey Liliana McCormack landed her first TAB training double at Cannon Park in Cairns on Friday.
McCormack's maiden winners Ginasue and Sumbank were at different ends of the betting spectrum with Ginasue (ridden by Nathan Day) at $3.80 and Sumbank (Lacey Morrison) at $51.
"What a great day for me, my jockeys and the owners," McCormack said.
"I thought Ginasue was a good chance but Sumbank was a little welcome surprise. Lacey rode her a great race for a narrow win.
"Sumbank was going to start at Cluden Park in Townsville on Monday but is ineligible now."
McCormack, who rode winners in her native Turin before migrating to Australia, moved to Townsville 23 years ago.
McCormack and her husband Mark have a training establishment on 20 acres at Hervey's Range.
"I'm a hairdresser by trade but took up training as a hobby in 2007," she said.
"I've got eight horses in work at the property, which has a 300 metres grass track for light exercise, a walker and sand roll and we bring the horses into Cluden for track work and fast gallops.
"I've received good support from riders Carl Spry and Wanderson D'Avila and other jockeys including Isabella Teh.
"It's been a bit of a "United Nations" effort.
"My best horse at the moment is Freddy Barbarossa who has won two races and although he's only tiny has a big heart and I'm looking forward to him coming back into work for the upcoming northern winter carnival races."
Meanwhile, journeyman jockey David Sparks claimed a double at Julia Creek on Saturday, including his second Julia Creek Cup.