KEY POINTS:
It should have been the moment when Debbie Sweeney yelled herself hoarse and cart-wheeled off the couch.
But as her gutsy mare Prize Lady tore off the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie yesterday, the housebound Te Awamutu trainer was forced to keep the excitement in check.
Sweeney and husband, comeback jockey Mark Sweeney, are expecting their first child by March 17 but doctors have also warned her that the baby could arrive at any minute.
Luckily for the Sweeneys yesterday, their biggest thrill in racing didn't induce any more dramatic moments as they watched Prize Lady's upset - from the couch.
Debbie Sweeney was forced to leave the on-course saddling duties to father and trainer partner Graeme Sanders yesterday.
"I guess we'll have to wait for a double celebration in a couple of weeks or so," she said.
"I wanted to be there but I was pretty crook yesterday so I'm stuck on the couch. It's still very exciting. I always knew March was going to be a memorable month but winning the Auckland Cup as well is like a dream come true."
Sweeney wasn't worried when rain before the cup softened the track, destroying many of the more favoured chances.
"I don't think she really likes rain, she's better on good ground but she's such an honest mare I knew no matter what happened, she'd try hard."
Although tearaway leader Kajema stole a decent break on the field turning for home, Sweeney also knew her five-year-old mare was still in with a hope.
"I could see she was winding up nicely," said Sweeney.
"And she's just so gutsy, I always knew she'd try her heart out right to the line."
