Paul’s day out at home
Horsham trainer Paul Preusker had a day to remember at his home town cup meeting, training a winning treble.
The Preusker yard produced first starter Surprise Baby in the opening event, a 1200-metre maiden plate.
The son of Shocking showed nice speed, stalking stablemate Little Robyn.
Under Declan Bates, Surprise Baby was too good over the concluding stages and swept to the front for a three-quarter-length win.
Preusker then produced up and coming staying type Inayforhay in a 1400-metre maiden, again with Bates riding.
The Rebel Raider gelding made a long, sustained run from the tail and took the lead in the straight.
Inayforhay was too strong, saluting by a length and a half.
The Great Artiste completed the winning treble, this time with Christine Puls riding in the benchmark-64 1400-metre event.
In similar fashion to Inayforhay, The Great Artiste was ridden patiently at the rear before winding up from the tail.
The Atomic five-year-old struck the front in the shadows of the post, scoring narrowly.
Preusker also managed four minor placings, in a magnificent training effort.
Finn wins Avoca Cup
Stawell trainer Dane Smith has produced former OTI Racing entire Finn Mccool in fine fettle, claiming the Avoca Cup with former Wimmera apprentice Jess Eaton in the saddle.
Daring tactics saw Finn Mccool inject some speed into the race and the Irish import was too good around the tight track, winning by a length.
Finn Mccool boasts a stakes placing behind Homesman at The Curragh in Ireland last year suggesting he has his fair share of ability, and should prove competitive for the upcoming Wimmera cups.
Melbourne Cup in Stawell
Stawell residents will have a chance to see the Melbourne Cup today.
The cup is touring country Victoria and will be at Stawell Racecourse today from 10.30am to 12.30pm, giving school children a chance to view the famous cup up close.
The cup will then be taken to an aged-care home and tour Stawell businesses before being displayed at the Gift Hotel from 7pm as a fundraiser for the Stawell branch of Riding for the Disabled.