But Cowra owner-trainer and driver Deehan Crook, couldn't complain once he got his four year old gelding to it's first start last Monday in Australia's Capital.

The classy pacer ran a near perfect race to score a maiden victory in the Capital Trots Pace (2,170 metres) race nine on the card.

Crook admitted it was late for a horse to have it's first start at age four, but explained why they have had difficulties getting him on the track.

"He's always shown to have a bit of ability," he said.

"But he's been one of those horses that whenever he was ready to race he would hurt himself.

"He won six trials but that was spaced out over three years, we would trial him and think he's ready to race but then he would tread on his foot and cut it, or last year he was ready to race and he got a virus.

"So it's been a slow patient process."

Sitting behind the race leader for the majority of the race last week, Crook made his move at the top of the straight where Apache Mac managed to peel one wide and win the race by half a head from Box One with Nifty Sealster 4.40 metres away third.

Crook was pleased with how his pacer performed despite it's lack of experience.

"It's much easier when you draw well and you have a horse with the ability to win the race," Crook said.

"He drew one and from there I just put him in the right place.

"He is still very green and he doesn't steer real quick, he ducked in at the top of the straight which probably cost him a couple of lengths, but he got back in the lead, we probably should of won by three lengths," he said.

Called Apache for the blaze of white running down it's face, similar to the blaze on thoroughbred Apache Cat, and Mac for the name of Crook's daughter, Mackenzie, Apache Mac is owned and was bred by the family team along with Cowra local Steve Pile.

"It's a real team effort," Crook said praising his team.

"We've got jobs, I work at the hospital and sometimes Mackenzie does just as much as any of us and often you'll see the owner from town here helping out when he can."

Crook's has had a successful beginning as a trainer to his 2015 campaign with two wins and a second.

He was unsure of when Apache Mac's next outing will be as he's trying to ensure the inexperienced gelding is not put out of its depths.

But he will have entries in the Parkes Australia Day races, most likely nine-year-old bay gelding Kybean Knight and mare Haute Volle who was unplaced at Canberra last start after a recent victory.