Levins making Jumbo Steps as a trainer

Ex-jockey Johnny Levins registered his second winner as a trainer when his Jumbo Steps followed up a recent Fairyhouse win in the BBQ Evening Wednesday August 14th Handicap at Gowran today, under Gary Carroll.

The son of Footstepsinthesand was having just his second start for Levins and, having won at Fairyhouse 20 days ago, was again produced with perfect timing by Carroll, leading under a furlong out for a half length win over Mordanmijobsworth

Levins, who rode 41 winners as a jockey before assisting trainer Shane Broderick and receiving his own trainers' license two months ago, stated “I've never been as nervous! We were taking a chance running him on that ground but I waited on Gary (Carroll) coming back in after the first and he reckoned there was no jar in it.

“The twice I've come down here with two runners the ground has been produced like a carpet; anywhere else I might have given it a bit more thought but Paddy Graffin (Clerk of the Course) does such a good job around here.

“Saying that, he wasn't madly in love with the fast ground but is such a game horse. We'll get him home now and might look to Galway.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson.