Winning a race on your home track’s biggest day is a great advertisement for any trainer’s business, and it was great to see Sale-based Sharyn Trolove get a well deserved win with her occasionally frustrating six-year-old mare Magnyte on Sale Cup day.
Magnyte ($11) relished the heavy surface, leading all the way with promising young apprentice Chris Caserta in the saddle to defeat the Pat Carey-trained Meru and the winner’s improving stablemate Poppi Rox.
Surprisingly it has taken 24 starts for Magnyte to shake off her maiden status, with her seven minor placings including photo-finish defeats by subsequent city-winning gallopers Mefnooda and Hokkaido.
Stable foreman Andy Perdon (Trolove’s partner) said this week it was “good to win a race on cup day”. 
“She loves wet tracks and races best when can dictate in front. 
“It’s satisfying to finally break through with her, given we’ve just bought her back off her original owners and syndicated her — it’s a quick result for the new owners, which is  pleasing.”
Magnyte will race at Traralgon on Saturday in 0-58 company over 1430 metres, with Caserta again booked to ride.
Trolove trains a growing team (presently 12) at a property not far from the Sale track, in the farming hub of Bundalaguah. 
The trainer recently retired stable star God Help Her after five wins and 11 placings from 58 starts ($214,013 stakes), including a city win (Sandown 2011) and victory in the $100,000 Inglis Trophy Race on Sale Cup day (2011).
Brandon’s back
Sale apprentice Brandon Stockdale has begun a stint with Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher at his Caulfield training complex. Stockdale will resume race riding at Moonee Valley on Friday night after a stint on the sidelines with a broken foot.
Stockdale 17, has ridden 81 winners (11 in town) from just under 900 rides, and is sure to be in demand over the summer with his three-kilogram claim in the city. 
Gavin Bedggood is now managing Stockdale and can be contacted on 0403 204 736 to secure the services of one of Victoria’s most promising young riders.
Paul’s Prince to paddock
Bunyip trainer Paul Kramer has retired his stable star Prince Rahy.
The seven-year-old son of Rahy gave the trainer his greatest thrill in the sport when victorious at Moonee Valley in June 2015 (Kramer’s first city winner).
Prince Rahy was purchased as a tried horse from Scone trainer Greg Bennett for $6000, after Bennett contacted the Kramers to suggest that “Archie” would suit their “country” style of training. 
Prince Rahy raced 30 times for the Kramer stable for seven wins and seven placings, accumulating stakes of just under $120,000.
Part-owner Heidi Kramer reported this week: “Colin McKinlay did an amazing job fixing his feet as he had major soundness problems (but is retiring sound).
“Paul kept him happy and he repaid us big time. Now we can repay him, giving him a paddock at home and spoiling him.”
The Kramers look to have another handy galloper on their hands, with recent impressive Pakenham winner Riley’s Rocket looking to continue his rise through the grades in 0-58 grade over 1430 metres at Traralgon on Saturday, with Jarrod Fry retaining the ride.
Hat-trick to Mourinho
Group 1 winner Mourinho has been named Gippsland Horse of the Year for the third consecutive season. 
Connections of the Peter Gelagotis-trained star were presented with the prestigious award at the Sale Turf Club’s calcutta function on Sale Cup eve.
Mourinho’s 2015/16 racing season was highlighted by his greatest triumph, victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. 
The gelding also won the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes and was placed in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes in his eight-year-old season.
Mourinho has raced 42 times for 11 wins, 10 placings and stakes of $1,353.997.