Coppins heads back to Hawera “after one of the greatest days of my life”

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Kate Coppins is going into Tuesday’s meeting at Hawera high on confidence, but realistic that her career-best efforts at the course on Sunday will be virtually impossible to match, let alone beat.

Yesterday the talented junior driver took out half the card, with five wins on the 10 race programme.

“It was one of the greatest days of my life,” she says.

On Tuesday Coppins has eight drives on the 10-race card and while momentum is on her side, she remains focused on staying grounded.

“Dad always taught me that anything is possible when you step onto the track,” she said. “You could be on a deadset certainty and come last. I never go out there with any expectations, if I do I feel like I over-drive them a bit. I like to just drive the race in front of me.”

Coppins identified two runners trained by her grandmother Jill Coppins as her leading chances on Tuesday. She will partner Rasmussin Effect in Race 2, the Fleming Family Mobile Pace, before reuniting with Jaccka Opa in Race 7, the Nag ‘N’ Noggin New Owners Coming March Mobile Pace.

“I’d have to go with Jaccka Opa again, the way he won on Sunday, he just seems to go to another level on the grass. He doesn’t have a lot of gate speed but drawn one I think he’ll be a big chance.”

She also expects Rasmussin Effect to take improvement from his Sunday effort.

“Nan’s other one too, Rasmussin Effect, he went awesome and ran home really well, was just a bit unlucky and got pushed around on Sunday.”

On day one Coppins arrived at Hawera with measured expectations.

“I thought I’d have at least one winner,” Coppins said.

It just snowballed from there.

“Whenever I get winner it puts me in a real good headspace. It definitely set the mood for the day and I started to feel a lot more confident.”

That she got five was mind-blowing.

“It didn’t really sink in what I’d done until I had senior drivers that I’ve looked up to texting me and congratulating me,” she said.

“My dad, mum and nana, I think they’re loving it more than I am …. it still hasn’t hit me how big of an achievement it is!”

Kate Coppins’ five winners at Hawera on Sunday : 

Race 3 : Jaccka Opa ($3.40) for Jill Coppins
Race 6 : Im All In ($5.80) for Michael House
Race 7 : Forgiveness ($27.10) for Michael House
Race 8 : Big Gee ($6.60) for Michael House
Race 10 : Shezabettorgirl for Michael House 

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