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Former New Zealand jockey Kane Bradley has celebrated his first ride at Flemington with victory aboard Avienus on Melbourne Cup day.
The Mark Webb-trained mare started at $8 in the $100,000 Schiavello Plate (1700m) and toughed out the finish to beat Bashful Girl ($9.50) by a long head with $4.40 favourite Lamarr another short neck third.
While Bradley enjoyed the occasion, Avienus was not so elated, tossing him off on the way back to the mounting yard.
"She can be a bit troublesome," Bradley said.
"She is very talented but the mental aspect is a worry.
"It's a big thrill to ride my first winner at my first ride at Flemington especially on a day like this.
"I came to Australia two and a half years ago to see what I could do and my riding has improved competing against the likes of Damien Oliver and Craig Williams.
"I've had the odd city ride before but mostly I ride out of town."
Bradley is based at Cranbourne where Avienus is trained by Webb who paid credit to his jockey and the mare's owners.
"The owners have had a few offers for the mare but to their credit they held their ground," Webb said.
"Now she has increased her value as a broodmare.
"She has done us proud, she doesn't know how not to try."
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