Brett Charry’s nine-year-old Grassini is arguably racing better than ever after winning on his 2018 jumping debut in last Thursday’s $30,000 Scotts Catering Hurdle (3200m) at Warrnambool.
The son of Universal Prince had been unbeaten in two hurdle trials at the course and was a last-start winner on the flat at Colac over 2850 metres.
As a result he was sent out at a cramped $1.60 quote. Under the guidance of Braidon Small, Grassini gave favourite backers little worry in the run, jumping cleanly and defeating Brierly Steeplechase winner Valediction by 11 lengths with Brendan Drechsler Hurdle winner Zuhayr third.
The win was Grassini’s second over jumps — he won a maiden hurdle over the same track and distance in 2016.
Patrick Payne took over the training of Grassini briefly last year while Charry relocated from Kerang to Bendigo, where he has two horses in work.
“He was rock hard and been schooling well so I was confident,” Charry said.
“He’s a dry-tracker and that’s why he’s fit and racing early… as soon as it starts raining he’s probably had enough.”
The win was Grassini’s eighth from 81 starts and took his prizemoney to $192,445. 
The win was a significant one for the Goldfields district. I’ve been writing this column since late 2010 and this is my first report on a local galloper winning a jumps race.
Bendigo Jockey Club’s Mosstrooper Steeplechase day is scheduled for July 22.
Shaq aims high
Sutton Grange galloper Shaq will step up a notch this Friday after three wins from his past five starts.
The Brent Stanley-trained four-year-old sprung a surprise at the Sandown midweeker last week, bouncing back from a below-par run at The Valley to score by a long neck over 1800 metres as a $31 chance under apprentice Mitch Aitken.
The win, Stanley’s 25th for the season, followed successes over 1600 metres at Echuca on New Year’s Eve and at Bendigo in February.
This Friday the son of Savabeel steps up to 2000 metres and listed company in the Albury Cup.
Pool makes splash
The Bendigo Jockey Club this week reopened its on-course swimming pool, having  spent $200,000 on a new concrete retaining wall and base. The project was partly funded by the Victorian Racing Industry Fund.
The rejuvenated pool has been well received by trainers.
Meanwhile, the countdown is on to Bendigo’s Bet365 Golden Mile race day on April 7. 
The meeting will offer moer than $1 million in prizemoney and packages are selling fast. 
Off the track, attractions include the Hit FM Food and Wine Village, the Wild Action Zoo and live music. To make a booking visit country.racing.com/bendigo
Shane shells out
The recent Adelaide Magic Millions sale saw Shane Fliedner add two yearlings to his stable.
Fliedner went to $50,000 for lot 105, by Zoffany from a three-time winner by Viscount. He also picked up a Hampton Court filly for just $5000.
Xavier Moloney, managing owner of the in-form Glenrowan Prince, spent $22,000 on a daughter of Hussonet to be sent to Kym Hann.