THE Wilfred Chin-trained Di Cobre came with a strong run in the stretch to win the second race at Caymanas Park, giving apprentice Dane Dawkins his first winner since starting his career less than a month ago.

Sent off at odds of 27-1, Di Cobre picked up the lead shortly after turning for home and powered to victory by six lengths over Rocketeer and No Coincidence in a $250,000-$210,000 claiming event over 1,000 metres.

“What a relief…It feels so wonderful to win my first race. I have been working really hard for this and now when it is finally here, I am speechless. What I can tell you is that I am a happy man,” the 22-year-old Dawkins told the Complete Racing Guide.

Dawkins said that following the trainer’s instructions was the key to his victory.

“I followed the trainer’s instructions and that gave me my first winner. The trainer told me to break him sharp, keep him in touch with the leaders and ride him for the last two furlongs. Coming around the final bend he wanted to go and I just let out the reins a bit, and entering the straight I asked him for everything and he just blew away the field,” Dawkins said.

Dawkins, who went to the Greater Portmore High School in St Catherine, shared his story coming into the racing industry.

“When I was younger, friends and family members asked me if I wanted to become a jockey but I preferred playing football. It was not until I when I was 17 that I took that step into the racing industry and from there on I am here. My friend Rambo was always in my ears, telling me about the sport,” the young apprentice said.