First-time racehorse owner Nicole Huntly can barely believe her luck. The 25-year-old primary school teacher is one of many first-time owners living the dream through Robbie Griffiths-trained Mossbeat, who will aim to make it two wins on end in Saturday’s $80,000 ALH Group Plate (1200m).

Huntly is one of 800 owners involved with Mossbeat, a precocious daughter of Mossman who is the first of six horses owned by Shelley Hancox’s Hancox Racing No. 6 syndicate to hit the racetrack.

Mossbeat has yet to finish out of the placings in her three career starts; recording a third on debut at Sandown Hillside, before running a strong second at Caulfield behind Kalabek on Easter Monday.

She continued her progress ,winning on the opening day of the Warrnambool May Carnival, securing a $30,000 VOBIS Gold bonus on top of the $42,000 winner’s cheque her length-and-a-half victory secured.

“It’s been such a thrill already,” Huntly said. “We’re actually lucky to even be racing her at such a young age.

“Growing up around horses all my life, it’s been such a thrill to have one that is actually mine. I get to take ownership of it and know when and where it’s going to races.

“It’s been great to be there and listen to what the jockeys and trainers have said first hand, and having an idea of where the next step is something that’s really exciting as a first time owner.”

Huntly’s maiden foray in to racehorse ownership came at the suggestion of her father, racing media personality Warren Huntly, who has himself owned a number of horses. The pair targeted a large syndicate specifically for Nicole’s first venture into racehorse ownership, and have been overjoyed with the results thus far.

“At first I was worried that the large numbers in the club could affect my experience,” Huntly said, “but at the end of the day it’s changed nothing.

“You’ve got a share in a horse which is really exciting. You still get the thrill of racing, that inside edge and I’ve always felt like I’m a part of the whole experience.

“Although you may only own a very small percentage, at the end of the day you still get the same benefits and buzz of being an owner of a racehorse.”

Mossbeat is a member of Shelley Hancox’s sixth racing syndicate; aimed at bringing the joy of racing to large groups of people at an achievable price point, an aspect of the club which appealed to Huntly.

“With Shelley’s racing club, it’s a one-off cost which is why it’s great if you’re a first time owner or are interested in experiencing horse racing,” she said.

“You only play a once-off flat fee, and then that’s it for their entire careers. If she has feet problems anything it’s all taken care of which is really comforting to know I won’t be hit for any extra costs.

“If you’re someone that’s really interested in horseracing but is scared of the finances involved, it’s a great way to get started because you still have that ownership experience. You have 6 horses in it rather than one, and you avoid the constant training bills which is great.”

The rollercoaster ride continues this weekend as Mossbeat faces her toughest opposition to date at Caulfield.  She won’t be short of admirers while parading in the Mounting Yard, with Huntly hoping to join a number of her fellow member’s trackside on Saturday.

“There’s a really great variety of people involved,” she said.

“There’s people who’ve had a history with racing and others who have had never raced horses before so we’re all learning the logistics of horse racing and what it’s all about together.

“Some of the owners have started a Facebook Group where we’ve all gotten to know each other a little which has been really nice, it’s great we’re banding together in that way.

“It’s been such a fantastic opportunity already. I’ve met some really great people through Mossbeat and can’t wait to see the rest of our horses when they get to the track around Australia.”

Click here to view full fields, form and barriers for Saturday’s meeting at Caulfield.