Seymour trainer Ben Brisbourne was thrilled with the win of the well named Shoplifter ($9.50) at Benalla on Monday.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Time Thief and Shopping Spree was an impressive winner of the bet365 BM58 Handicap (1406m).
Ridden a patient race by apprentice Teo Nugent, the gelding got up to defeat First Water ($4.40) by a half-length with Free Thoughts ($71) a further 1½ lengths away third.
Brisbourne said he’d taken Shoplifter to Wagga at his previous start to get his confidence back. 
Although the horse finished, fourth the form from that race was good, so it gave the trainer confidence at least.
“He’s been a great horse for me. The race panned out perfect and Teo gave him a great ride.
“He’s one of my favourite horses and he gave me my first winner,” he said. 
Brisbourne part-owns the gelding along with a group of punters he met at an international race meeting in Hong Kong.
Shoplifter has now won three races with nine minor placings from 21 starts.
Joker on track for ’Rat
Seymour Racing Club committeeman Frank Butler said his smart galloper Admiral’s Joker had “pulled up super” after his luckless second to Reykjavik in the $200,000 Group 3 Network 10 Chatham Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last Saturday.
“He was back wide and pushed wider on the turn, so we were very happy with the run,” he said.
The Bel Esprit gelding, trained at Colac by Kylie Vella, will now head to the $300,000 listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) on Saturday week, November 23.
The lightly raced Admiral’s Joker has now won six races with five second placings from only 14 starts, earning $439,125 in prizemoney.
’More/’Mour action
The day  after the Ballarat Cup, Kilmore Racing Club will host the listed bet365 Kilmore Cup (1600m) at Seymour racecourse.
KRC chief executive Ben Murphy and his team are going all out to make this year’s cup a big one.
The club hasn’t raced on its home track since the 2018 Kilmore Cup 12 months ago, due to extensive track works including widening of the home straight.
Buses will be used to shuttle members (free) and patrons ($5) between the Kilmore and Seymour tracks.
Shuttle buses will also pick up patrons from the Seymour station, connecting with V/Line services.
“The ever-popular Kelly Sports will again entertain the kiddies while the off-the-track highlight will be the Georgina & Co Fashions on the Field with over $10,000 in cash and prizes to be won,” Murphy said.
Bookings for bus reservations or dining/marquee packages can be made via the Kilmore Racing Club on (03) 5783 0702.