By Lachlan Mitchell
“It was an adrenaline rush,” is how Brett Wahlstrom described registering his first win as a trainer when Kardesler took out the Lather Up Standing at Woodlands Stud Pace at Cranbourne on Sunday night.
The 59-year-old had to compose himself after the gelding piloted by Michael Bellman found the line.
“It was good, it was just my third start as a trainer,” Wahlstrom said.
The Croydon-based horseman has had a long journey in harness racing which started in South Australia.
“I first got into (harness racing) in Kapunda in South Australia, when my parents bought a pub and we use to run the bar at the trotting track,” he said.
“We used to have Graeme Lang and Vin Knight come and stay at our pub in the ’80’s.
“We had some amazing horses come over and that is how I got into harness racing.”
Wahlstrom, who also owns Kardesler, had to give up training duties to look after his son.
“My son took ill and I gave him to a fellow trainer until my son was better,” he said.
“I got him back and here we are today.”
Wahlstrom has found the very simple key ingredients to success.
“You just have to keep the horse happy, I think,” he said.
