Stawell trainer Dane Smith lifted his fourth country cup of the season last Saturday, taking the J&B Greenhill West Wimmera Shire Edenhope Cup (2000m) with Tre Dieci ($18).
With Sairyn Fawke in the saddle. Tre Dieci($18) bounced straight to an uncontested lead, and was able to bowl along out in front. 
The Rakti eight-year-old pinched a couple of lengths before the turn as he upped the ante. 
Tre Dieci gave a strong kick in the straight, but had to survive a late challenge from the luckless Chivadahili, who only gained clear galloping room in the last 50 metres. 
Smith’s other runner, the more fancied Finn McCool ($4.80), finished three lengths away in fourth place. 
It was Finn McCool who started Smith’s cup run this season, winning the Avoca Cup in October and the Penshurst Cup in December. The trainer has also won the Colac Cup with Golden Authority.
Gift at last
Stawell trainers Terry and Karina O’Sullivan had a productive long weekend, with winners at Edenhope on Saturday and Sportsbet-Ballarat on Monday. 
She’s Our Gift ($1.75 favourite) got the ball rolling with an overdue win, the daughter of All American proving too slick over 1000 metres in a  0-58 handicap at Edenhope. 
The win broke a run of 18 defeats, including five seconds.
Du to Pass ($12), first up in a Class 1 at Ballarat, was too strong coming from the tail, finishing over the top of more fancied rivals Saccharo and Me Cabo.
Congrats, Christine
Horsham jockey Christine Puls’s hard work and dedication to the racing industry in a career that spans almost 30 years was recognised last Friday when she was named the Victorian Wakeful Club’s Lady of Racing. 
Puls claimed the award ahead of her fellow finalists, trainer Natalie Young, retired jockey Clare Lindop and Claudette Luke, financial manager with the Magic Millions company.