Levi Kavanagh lands first city winner

Levi Kavanagh has prepared his first metropolitan winner with Soho Ruby scoring at Sandown.

The filly, part-owned by his mother Isobel and wife Cara, also gave the trainer his first winner at Geelong earlier in the month.

Ridden by Patrick Moloney, Soho Ruby fought hard to win Wednesday’s 1300m Schweppes Handicap.

Sent out a $4.20 chance, Soho Ruby scored by a neck from Sweet Varden ($4.40) with Invictum Domina ($18) a short neck away third.

Kavanagh’s trainer father Mark is awaiting the outcome of an appeal against a three-year cobalt disqualification hearing before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Levi Kavanagh, 32, said the win was extra special with his mother and wife involved in the ownership, although he couldn’t entice his father into the horse.

“Mum’s in, so that’s basically the same,” Kavanagh joked.

Kavanagh said there was a large group involved in Soho Ruby along with his family.

“When you’re starting out you have to get support from people and it’s excellent to get support from these guys,” he said.

Kavanagh has three horses in work at Flemington with a few more horses on the books that are yet to be named.

“I’ve got a few young ones that are coming through,” he said.

“It takes a while for those to get up and running but hopefully when they do there’ll be some nice ones that will keep continuing through.

“I’m starting to get momentum but it’s just taking a bit of time.”