At Echuca last Thursday, in-form Romsey trainer Luke Oliver was back in the winner’s stall with Unshackled ($3 favourite).
The four-year-old Equiano gelding was coming off a first-up Kyneton win late last month. 
At Echuca he was a comfortable winner of the Murphy’s Turf & Landscaping BM58 Handicap (1109m).
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Unshackled defeated Evolutionist ($3.80) by three-quarters of a length with What Girls Want ($14) a further two lengths away third.
Owned in partnership by Oliver and some of his staff, Unshackled now has three wins and four minor placings from 14 starts.
Oliver made it seven wins from his past 22 starters at Bairnsdale on Sunday when Traffic Cop ($3.50) was rewarded for his consistency with victory in the Bill Collins, Where It All Began Maiden Plate (1600m).
The five-year-old Shinzig gelding handled the heavy 10 conditions with aplomb, leading for most of the journey to defeat $1.70 favourite Tavsomefun by a length with Alkaaser ($19) a further 2¼ lengths away third.
The win gave in-form hoop Noel Callow the first leg of a running double.
Raced by Jacka Investments, the consistent Traffic Cop had four minor placings prior to Sunday’s win.
The win capped a big week for Oliver as he produced a smart debut winner in Shotgun Rosie ($6.50) at Mornington the previous Tuesday.
Carnival not over
Kyneton trainer Frank Conlan is having some fun with Melba’s Maestro, as is breeder/owner and former Seeker Athol Guy.
At Echuca last Thursday, the five-year-old Amadeus Wolf gelding made it three wins and two seconds from his past five starts in comfortably taking out the Bet365 BM58 Handicap (1618m).
The gelding, sent out a $2.50 favourite, was ridden by claiming apprentice Mitchell Aitken, reducing his weight from 62kg to 60kg.
The gelding now has three wins and six minor placings from 14 starts.
Slade swoops
Seymour trainer Barry Goodwin produced Slade de Cerisy ($5) for a most impressive win at Donald last Saturday.
The French import came from the rear of the field, sprouting wings down the outside of the track, to take out the Donald Lions Club 0-58 Handicap (1620m).
Giving Jarrod Fry the middle leg of a riding treble, the gelding defeated Holy Host ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length.
Slade de Cerisy was having only his second start for Goodwin, having been trained by Danny Penna for a Darwin campaign in 2017, and before him by David Hayes and partners at Lindsay Park.
The gelding has now had 26 starts overall for three wins and six minor placings.
Border force
Kyneton-trained Mount Horeb ($6.50) has a liking for the Albury track.
On Monday, George Osborne’s three-year-old Moshe gelding made it two wins and a second from three starts on the track.
Mount Horeb, ridden by district hoop Nick Souquet, was an impressive winner of the Star Hotel Albury Class 1 Handicap (1000m), defeating Wolfofpeterstreet ($6) by two lengths.
A $17,000 purchase by Osborne at the 2016 Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale, Mount Horeb has had six starts.