Racing in Ararat

Following the excitement of Friday’s Horsham Cup, Wimmera racing fans will turn their attention to Ararat on Sunday.

Ararat traditionally hosts the Wimmera’s ‘richest race day’, with the $75,000 China Bowl and $50,000 Ararat Gold Cup up for grabs on the eight-race card.

Ararat Turf Club always runs a sensational day, complete with a hotly contested fashions on the field competition, this year featuring prizes worth more than $2500; free children’s activities including a horizontal bungee and an animal nursery; and live music throughout the day.

Gates open at 11am.

Bottino’s record

Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams took out the 1800-metre 2017 Horsham Cup, courtesy of Our Bottino.

Ridden by Damien Thornton, Our Bottino worked to an early lead despite pressure from Mujadale.

The six-year-old was then able to dictate the race, giving himself every possible chance.

At the 600-metre mark, Thornton put his foot on the gas and Our Bottino soon had rivals off the bit.

The son of Bianconi rounded the home turn with a strong kick, and established a winning lead.

Our Bottino was too strong for runner-up Star Wars, saluting by one length.

Our Bottino smashed Happy as Hell’s 2014 record, posting a new time of 1.48.90.

Magic Consol, which was shooting for a historic third consecutive Horsham Cup, found the 60 kilograms and the firm track against him, weakening into seventh spot. all

Tycoon a winner

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Despite the disappointment of Magic Consol, Horsham trainer Paul Preusker still managed a winner on Horsham Cup day.

The leading local stable had recent acquisition Winston Tycoon lining up in a benchmark-64 event, over 1400 metres.

Ridden by regular jockey Holly Mckechnie, the son of Churchill Downs showed good speed leaving the barriers, box-seating in second place.

Lachie’s a Star set a strong pace early, allowing Winston Tycoon a charmed run.

When balanced for the run home, the six-year-old took the lead, as Lachie’s A Star capitulated.

Winston Tycoon established a winning margin, showing too much class to score by a lengthand-a-half.

This latest win was Winston Tycoon’s second in three starts since joining the Preusker yard.

More group success

Horsham jockey Dean Yendall has won the Group One Myer Classic for the second consecutive year.

In 2016, Yendall was aboard the Shane Nicholls-trained I Am A Star.

In 2017, Yendall found himself riding the Anthony Freedman-trained Shoals, the $4.80-favourite.

Yendall demonstrated his ability to ride at 50kg and still be able to be strong in a tight finish.

Shoals recorded a narrow but gutsy win, giving Yendall his fourth career success at Group One level.