Albany-raised Indianna Weinert scores first metropolitan winner with staying mare Royal Choisir at Ascot

Albany’s Indianna Weinert had to wait more than a year between winners but the determined young trainer is confident sustained success is not far away.

Weinert celebrated her first metropolitan victory on Saturday after Royal Choisir was a dominant winner of the $80,000 Crown Perth Handicap (2200m) at Ascot.

Ridden by apprentice Brandon Louis, Royal Choisir settled sixth before cruising up to the leaders approaching the home turn and letting down strongly to win by more than a length from Lady Duckworth on the line.

The six-year-old mare caused a major upset in the race and saluted at long odds of $101.

Weinert, an Albany-raised horsewoman, had her first starter as a trainer in November 2021, and Carlin Road was her first ever winner in Narrogin in December 2021.

The first city victory was a long time coming for the 25-year-old but she remains focused on developing her stable and producing more winners.

“It was very surreal, I think there was a video of me in the grandstand with my hands in the air and jaw to the floor,” Weinert said.

“When I won my first race after a couple of months I thought ‘this is easy’. You learn pretty quickly that it’s not easy and you’ve got to find the right horse.

“I have eight horses in my stable, four racing and trialling now, so hopefully I can get a few more winners.

“I have a few nice young ones coming through so I’m a bit excited about that and Royal Choisir. if she can win like that. I think she has another one coming soon.”

Royal Choisir was formerly trained by Vaughn Sigley and had her first start for the Weinert stable in December.

She ran third in Narrogin and then was sixth at Mt Barker on December 30 before breaking through for a second career win.

Weinert said Royal Choisir would run again at Ascot over 2200m later this month, and could be in line for a crack at the listed $150,000 Bunbury Cup at Ascot on March 11.

“She’s a big strong mare, strong-willed, and can be hard work,” she said.

“The morning of the race it took a couple of people to catch her to even get her to the races.

“She always jumps slow and I told Brandon to make a move mid-race because she won’t win from the back and he made the move at the right time.

“I think she is thriving with a change of stable and showing to be a different horse.

“She has pulled up really well, will have a light week, and then another race on February 25, and then we’ll set her for the Bunbury Cup two weeks after that.”