It was a red letter day for Sam Coen at Gowran Park this afternoon as he partnered his first winner aboard Rock Etoile in the 47-65 handicap.

The Andy Slattery-trained gelding had to wait for a gap and was lucky not to come down a furlong-and-a-half from home as he clipped heels and stumbled when short of room.

Coen got the 6/1 shot into the clear passing the furlong marker and he got on top in the closing stages to post a three-length win over long-time leader Blue Wood

Coen is the latest graduate from the pony racing circuit to go on and taste victory on the racecourse.

“It's great for Sam to get his first winner,” said Slattery.

“He's very good value and he's probably a bit more than a 10lb claimer at the moment. He's tidy and rides well.

“He stumbled and nearly came down, I don't know what happened. He did it well and he's always capable in that class. 10lb off him was a big help.

“He ran better than the finishing result in Galway last time, he was a bit wide and the race was a bit messy. He's a grand handicapper and it's great to have the likes of him for the apprentices, to get them going.”