GODOLPHIN’s search for a new Melbourne assistant trainer has ended with the appointment of its European pre-training manager Kate Grimwade to the position.

Godolphin announced on Wednesday that Grimwade had taken over the running of Carbine Lodge this week. Reg Fleming had filled that position since January when David Charles walked away from the role. Fleming will return to his previous position as senior foreman.

Godolphin’s head Australian trainer James Cummings said Grimwade also had an understanding of Australian racing which is invaluable. “To have someone of her experience and skill at our stable in Melbourne is enormous for our team,” Cummings said.

Grimwade was based at Newmarket as a pre-trainer for Godolphin but she has been with the organisation for several years, beginning with the Godolphin Flying Start program in 2003.

She has also had stints as Godolphin’s yearling manager in Australia and assistant stud manager in Newmarket.

Grimwade worked as racing manager for Gai Waterhouse during the period where she trained horses such as More Joyous, Manhattan Rain, Northern Meteor and Sebring.

She returned to the UK in 2010 where she had the overall responsibility for Godolphin’s yearlings and pre-training stock in Europe.

Grimwade said she was delighted to be back in Australia and to be involved with such a successful stable.

“To have been given such a responsibility by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Australian team is a huge privilege,” she said. “Godolphin’s vision and values are ideals I’ve long been familiar with and which we all look forward to promoting. I know the Melbourne team are an enthusiastic and dedicated group and it will be an honour to work with them.”

Grimwade is expected to lead in her first Melbourne winner on Saturday at Moonee Valley, where the stable will be represented by boom three-year-old filly Multaja.

Cummings is happy with her and is happy to not stretch her out in distance at this stage of her campaign.

“The filly just wants to be tackling the low hanging fruit in the early part of the spring before we stretch her out over further distances when we get to better races later on this campaign,” he said. “We are certainly very happy with her and she looks like she has appreciated the little gap between runs.”