Co-trainer Maddy Sears got a timely boost when filly Spirit One led all the way to win the QTIS Two-Year-Old at Eagle Farm.
Maddy trains Spirit One in partnership with her father Tony and she underwent surgery on Saturday morning for a cut to her right arm.
Spirit One ($3.40) scored by 1-1/4 lengths over Mishani Machine ($5) with Miss Lot Won ($10) a neck back in third place over 1000m.
The Sears partnership has been in great form since it started on September 18 with 11 winners but Spirit One's win was their first in a Saturday metropolitan race.
"This will help Maddy. Her dog was making a racket outside so she rapped the window but the glass gave in and slashed her arm," Tony Sears said.
"It is a really bad gash and she had to have surgery. She was just coming out of it when the race jumped and my wife Leigh was able to give her the news.
"Naturally she was thrilled. Things have been going well for us and it is good to break the Saturday metro duck."
Spirit One cost $80,000 at the Magic Millions March sales and is eligible for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
"But I will recommend she doesn't start. She isn't very big and I reckon a tough race like the Millions might flatten her," Tony Sears said.
"A better race would be the $500,000 QTIS race in March at the Gold Coast. She is by (sire) Spirit Of Boom and most of them get better with racing."