Marc and Mitchell Conners reached a defining moment in their training partnership as Willaidow delivered consecutive wins in the JRA Plate at Rosehill.

The victory continued the proud Conners family lineage, with Marc the son of four-time Golden Slipper winning trainer Clarry Conners, and grandson of respected horseman Clarry Conners Snr.

Mitchell Conners was unable to be trackside, attending to stable duties at Newcastle, but Marc said the result meant just as much.

“For a small stable like ours, it’s a lot of work. We have to put in a lot of hours,” Marc Conners said.

“These are the wins that are pretty special for us.”

Marc paid tribute to Mitchell’s contribution to the stable.

“He has put the hard yards in. He has done a lot of work,” he said.

“He is driving home from Newcastle today, he got beaten up there, so this will cheer him up.

“It’s a proud moment for me to have him down beside me. He will remember that for a long time.”

Willaidow ($4.60) repeated his feat from last year when the race was run as the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m), becoming the first horse in recent times to claim the race in consecutive seasons.

Held up for a crucial stage in the straight, Willaidow burst clear late under James McDonald to defeat The Instructor ($6.50) by a short head, with Zarastro ($9.50) filling third.

The gelding has now won nine races from 26 starts and amassed more than $720,000 in prize money.

“He is a $7000 horse and look what he’s done,” Conners said.

“He fractured his cannon bone after his third win, and he’s come back and done what he’s done. For a stable like us, they are dream horses. They’re the backbone. They pay the bills.”

With the carnival approaching, online bookmakers are sure to keep a close watch on Willaidow following his JRA Plate triumph.

The post Willaidow in milestone win for Conners family first appeared on Just Horse Racing.