A rookie trainer with an overseas trotting background plus an experienced jockey proved a potent combination when debutant Sir Denis won the Lyndhurst Stud Plate at Eagle Farm.Sir Denis, a son of Sequalo, impressed jockey Shane Scriven with his win when downing Drawn To Dubai by two lengths in Wednesday's 1000-metre maiden.Jan Aitkenhead, who has been training for only eight months, landed her second city winner in three weeks with Sir Denis' victory which followed her earlier triumph with Sir B

A rookie trainer with an overseas trotting background plus an experienced jockey proved a potent combination when debutant Sir Denis won the Lyndhurst Stud Plate at Eagle Farm.

Sir Denis, a son of Sequalo, impressed jockey Shane Scriven with his win when downing Drawn To Dubai by two lengths in Wednesday's 1000-metre maiden.

Jan Aitkenhead, who has been training for only eight months, landed her second city winner in three weeks with Sir Denis' victory which followed her earlier triumph with Sir Brilliant, also ridden by Scriven, at Eagle Farm on July 8.

Both horses are owned by Lakeview Stud at Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland.

"I've only had four starters for two winners for Lakeview Stud," Aitkenhead said.

"I train privately for Lakeview Stud and I've only got eight horses in work.

"I've had other runners for other owners but I'm Lakeview's exclusive trainer."

Scriven claimed Brisbane's riding honours for the first time in his stellar career this season and his win on Sir Denis took his season's tally to 50 wins.

Aitkenhead's career started as an apprentice jockey in Christchurch, New Zealand but it didn't last long before weight forced her to quit.

She eventually moved to Australia and worked in Sydney with leading trainer Clarry Conners and his son Marc while she also had a stint with Steve Englebrecht.

"I got a very good education while I was with Steve. He's a very good trainer," Aitkenhead said.

"I've trained trotters and won a few races with them along the way when I was still in New Zealand but my opportunities were limited over there so I came here eventually."

Aitkenhead's experience with trotters wasn't restricted solely to New Zealand.

"I went to New Jersey in the United States to work with trotters and ended up spending five years over there," she said.

Aitkenhead worked alongside Ross Croghan, a former top Queensland reinsman, during her stay in the US.

"Ross was very good to me and I learned a lot off him before I came to Australia," she said.

Aitkenhead plans to spell Sir Denis and is hopeful he'll come back bigger and stronger as a four-year-old next season.

Scriven also gave his stamp of approval following Sir Denis' victory, tipping better things in store next campaign.

"He's still very green and has a lot to learn but he had another gear there but wouldn't use it," Scriven said.