Kilmore trainer Karyn Brewster  was overwhelmed at the win of Darci’s Money at Echuca last Thursday.
“He’s been working so well, I thought he’d run a good race … (but) this is a big thrill,” an emotional Brewster said.
The likeable part-time trainer, who works at the Kilmore Hospital four days a week, has only the one horse in work.
“I just love the game. The Kilmore trainers and everyone at the club are so good to me,” she said.
Racing for the first time since early April, the New Zealand-bred eight-year-old Darci Brahma gelding stormed down the outside to take out the 1Print BM58 Handicap (1000m).
Sent out an $8 hope under apprentice Stephen Brown, the gelding beat Streetshavenoname ($2.70) by three-quarters of a length with Hard Spark ($2.50 favourite) a long neck away third.
Formerly trained in South Australia by David Jolly, and Paul Murray in New South Wales prior to him, Darci’s Money was bought by Murray’s father, the late Bede, at the Karaka Select sale for $NZ100,000.
The gelding, now solely raced by Brewster, has won two races  with two minor placings from nine starts in her care. 
Brewster has nominated her gelding for Sunday’s Kilmore Cup day but hopes the track dries out as the gelding needs a firm surface.
Bellzig brains ’em
Also at Echuca, Seymour trainer Jamie Scott saddled up Bellzig ($11) for an authoritative win.
Coming off a Berrigan (NSW) second placing late last month, the four-year-old Shinzig gelding was most impressive coming from back in the field to take out the Lloyd Sound Maiden Plate (1200m).
Ridden by John Allen, the gelding defeated Mallan No More ($8.50) by three lengths with $2.70 favourite Sheer Pluck third.
Formerly trained by Greg Eurell at Cranbourne, Bellzig was having his 12th start and notched three minor placings prior to last week’s win.
High is mighty    
Kyneton trainer Ray Matthews went one better with High Hopper ($1.80 favourite) at the popular Dunkeld meeting last Saturday.
Coming off an encouraging second placing on his home track on Melbourne Cup day, the six-year-old gelded son of Gonski and Jumburran Star  was a narrow winner of the $20,000 3HA/MIXX FM Maiden Plate (1000m).
Ridden by Jason Lyon, the gelding defeated Crystal Pistol ($3.60) and Saries Gem ($9).
Part-owned by the trainer, High Hopper had two minor placings prior to his win.
Whopper weekend
All at Kilmore Racing are geared up for a successful Turf Cup meeting this Sunday.
KRC chief executive Ben Murphy and his staff have worked tirelessly to make sure the day is a success.
“Dining package (sales) are up 20 per cent on last year. Hopefully the weather is kind to us, which will attract patrons through the gate,” Murphy said.
On Saturday, Seymour Racing Club will race for the first time since Seymour Cup day in October 2015.
The track has undergone a $5.15 million upgrade and participants in recent trials and Magic Millions breeze-ups have been full of praise for the condition of the new surface.
Saturday’s meeting is a Vietnam Veterans race day and a club source describes bookings as “overwhelming”.
Good luck to both clubs, and to Kyneton & Hanging Rock Racing Club for its meeting this Friday.