Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor led in his first metropolitan winner last Saturday, when Toulon Brook took out the Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap over 1300 metres on the Kensington track at Randwick. 
After a tardy start, Toulon Brook ($7.50) settled midfield on the fence under Anthony Cavallo. 
Sticking to the rails, Cavallo was able to drive his mount to the front when a gap appeared inside the final 100 metres then hold off the challenge of Zardoro, who finished strongly from the tail of the field, to score by a length, with Alcatron holding on for third, a further half neck away. 
“I rode a couple of Saturday winners down here a long time ago, but it’s my first as a trainer,” said Nestor. “It’s a big thrill. 
“I’m stoked for the owners who have stuck with me. It’s good to get a win for them. 
“I’m normally at Gilgandra on a Saturday so it’s good to have one good enough to come here and be competitive. 
“I wasn’t afraid to bring Anthony down. He’s starting to put together a good record on the horse. 
“It was a good ride. I told him if he was going all right to hold him up as long as possible and he got through for a good win. The big advantage was he had 53 kgs.” 
Cavallo told media after the win that Toulon Brook could be a Country Championships prospect. 
“I’ve won three on him now and he is still improving,” he said. “Kody said he’ll go for a break now. With three wins, he’s the perfect Country Championships horse. 
“It’s been a while since I have ridden on a Saturday in town, but he was the right horse to come here with and it won’t be his last win.”
Cups round-up
Friday was the first day of the two day Taree Cup carnival, and the feature delivered a thriller. 
The 1400-metre Hopkins Livermore Cup, named in honour of district racing stalwarts Don Hopkins and Ivan Livermore, saw the heavily backed $3.20 favourite Subtle Grey skip clear on entering the straight but the local just couldn’t hold off the strong finish of Tarbert ($4.60), who got up to score by a short half-head. 
The winner, trained at Grafton by John Shelton, was ridden by Ben Looker, who’s riding in fine form. 
Aaron Bullock took riding honours for the day with a winning treble while apprentice Samantha Clenton rode a double. 
On Saturday at Narrandera, the 1400-metre Memorial Cup went to Hangin’ With Willy ($6), trained by Trevor Sutherland and ridden by Brooke Sweeney. 
On Sunday at Taree, the $100,000 Taree Gold Cup (2000 metres) was won in comfortable fashion by $2.70 favourite Hogmanay, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Tommy Berry. 
On the same card the $50,000 Country Magic (1250m) went to local five-year-old Casino Mondial ($14), trained by Michael Byers ridden by Raymond Spokes. 
At Moruya on Sunday, the 1435-metre South Coast Clubs Cup went to Canberra galloper, Bart ($3.70), trained by Joe Cleary and ridden by Brodie Loy.
Stipes query Sam 
Goulburn trainer Kurt Goldman and jockey Sam Clipperton found themselves before the stewards at Randwick after the Goldman-trained Irish Songs finished fifth in the 1100-metre benchmark 70. 
Chief stipe Marc Van Gestel described Clipperton’s ride as appearing “half-hearted” while deputy chief Wade Birch said: “We didn’t see the best of Sam Clipperton until the final 50 metres.” 
Asked by Van Gestel whether his horse had “been there to win or just be hitting the line,” Goldman replied: “I had $500 on him. I backed him because I thought he was a winning chance and I told the owners to back him each way. 
“He’s a horse that when you go on him he goes and he won’t stop and that makes him difficult to ride.” 
The inquiry was adjourned to enable stewards to carry out further investigations.
Cejay stays in Sydney 
As reported in this column, talented Port Macquarie apprentice Cejay Graham has been on loan to the powerful Peter and Paul Snowden stable, and she has now had her indentures transferred to that partnership. She will now be based in Sydney. 
Graham, who rode 11 winners during her 12-week trial period and 51 in the season just completed, has already outridden her country claim but can still claim three kilos at provincial and metropolitan meetings. 
A lightweight who can ride at 49 kilos, she can be contacted for rides through her manager, Anthony Taylor, on 0412 434 022 or directly on 0412 995 996. 
Black-bookers
Last Friday at Dubbo the Darren Hyde trained Westlink, ridden by Ashley Morgan, impressed in winning the 1100-metre, Community Sprint Prelude. 
The gelding finished fast along the rails to win going away and should pay to follow. 
Two others to keep an eye out for are the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained three-year-olds, Californiadeepshot and Penang. 
The pair finished first and second respectively in the 1000-metre maiden at Kembla Grange last Saturday and the stable has a high opinion of the pair. 
Californiadeepshot is a colt by Deep Field while Penang is a filly by I Am Invincible.
Both were on debut at Kembla and are likely to be tested in metropolitan class in the near future. 
Whopper weekend
This Friday sees the Tweed River Jockey Club stage an eight race meeting featuring race the $40,000 Riverview Hotel Murwillumbah Cup (1530 metres), supported by the 1200-metre Murwillumbah Newmarket and the 2020-metre Tygalgah Cup. 
“We’ll have some terrific racing and in excess of $204,000 in prizemoney available,” said the club’s general manager, Tim Booth. 
The following day, the Gilgandra Jockey Club will conduct its Collie Cup meeting, with the feature over 1280 metres. 
“Saturday is  always a family-oriented day with memorial races and family reunions,” said club secretary Anne Hall. 
On the same day, further west, the Cobar Miners Race Club will hold the annual Cobar picnic meeting, featuring the 1700-metre Cobar Picnic Cup. 
The Lismore Turf Club has come up with an unusual promotion for its meeting on Monday. 
The club is offering free admission to anyone travelling to the meeting by taxi. A receipt will need to be provided.