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Former Central Queensland trainer, Mick Attard, who now is based at Hawkesbury, is hoping he will shortly be able to celebrate fully by securing a permanent NSW licence.

Attard and his wife Sharon moved from Rockhampton in September for family reasons, and has four horses in work at Hawkesbury.

He gained a NSW breakthrough at Cowra last Saturday, winning with four-year-old Gohan ($3.80) in the Class 1 Handicap (950m).

The Carrara four-year-old was a $5000 purchase and his Cowra victory lifted his earnings to nearly $38,000 (including bonuses).

The gelding was Attard’s 10th starter since relocating to Hawkesbury.

Carrara, a son of 2004 Caulfield Cup winner Elvstroem (beating triple Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva), was a five-times winner in Melbourne and Brisbane before being retired to stud.

At his previous start, Gohan had finished second over 1000m at the picnic meeting held at Gosford on Melbourne Cup day.

“I’ve come home,” Attard said. “I’m from Sydney and started out as an apprentice jockey with Paul Cave.

“At present, I am training on a visitor’s permit and have applied to Racing NSW for a permanent licence.

“Sharon is my No 1 strapper, and we have moved back to be closer to our grandchildren.

“I would like to buy a few stayers to train to build up our team, but will wait for news of our application for a NSW licence.”