Galaxy Raider, bred and part-owned in Kilmore, staked a strong claim for next month’s All-Star Mile when he completed back-to-back Flemington wins last Saturday.
The top 10 votegetters, each guaranteed a place in the field for Australia’s richest autumn race, were to be announced as Winning Post went to press on Thursday. Four wildcard entries, either winners of key lead-up races or chosen by a selection panel, will complete the field of 14.
Galaxy Raider, a seven-year-old gelding by Hard Spun out of Galaxy Light, was a last-to-first winner of the $125,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1400m) last Saturday.
Patiently ridden by apprentice Teo Nugent, the Grahame Begg-trained gelding got up by a short half-head to defeat Streets of Avalon ($8.50) with Amadeus ($11) a half-head away third.
Despite his last-start Flemington win over 1600 metres, Galaxy Raider started a $17 chance.
Kilmore’s Glen Eden Stud owner/manager, Sonia O’Gorman, was thrilled with the win and cited the gelding’s love for the Flemington track.
“We just hope now that we can gain a start in the All-Star Mile,” she said.
The $5 million All-Star Mile will be run at Caulfield on Saturday March 14.
Begg, who part-owns the gelding with stable clients, said the strong tempo of Saturday’s race “was tailor-made for him with 52 (kilos) on his back and a month between runs.”
“Since we’ve put the blinkers back on him, he’s won his last two starts,” he said.
“He’s had a few issues over the years. To put two together, it’s fantastic. 
“He’s a bit of a favourite in the stable down at Pinecliff (Mt Eliza).”
Galaxy Raider has now won five races with 13 minor placings from 33 starts accruing $361,000 in prizemoney.
Locals in form
Local trainers George Osborne and Bob Challis were among the winners at bet365 Park Kyneton last Thursday, winning with Ancient Echoes ($2.15 favourite) and Material Mistress ($8) respectively.
Ancient Echoes, a five-year-old So You Think gelding, was an all-the-way winner of The Bendigo Club BM58 Handicap (1450m).
The second leg of a winning double for Linda Meech, the gelding defeated The Thick Of It ($8) by 1½ lengths.
Osborne bought the gelding for $26,000 at the 2019 Inglis Great Southern Sale and races him with stable clients. Ancient Echoes has now won three races with seven minor placings from his 21 starts, earning $105,445.
Material Mistress, a three-year-old daughter of Wordsmith and Huntingdacash, was a narrow winner of the Destination Peninsula BM58 Handicap (1100m).
The filly, ridden by Dean Holland, defeated Eokalio ($10) by a short half-head.
Holland, who rode the filly at Ararat at her previous start, said she missed the start that day and should have won.
“She jumped well enough today but not well enough to go forward,” he said.
Material Mistress, raced by long-time stable client Ralph Portaro, has now won two races with three minor placings from her eight starts, earning $51,545.
Criminologist too smart 
The Challis/Holland/Portaro combination was back in the winner’s stall at Donald last Friday, with Criminologist  ($3.40)  in the Vale Robert Westcott BM58 Handicap (1620m).
The five-year-old Skilled mare defeated I Am Wanted ($3.50) by 2¼ lengths.
Holland said the race worked out well for Criminologist.
“It was great to win the Bobby (Westcott) memorial race. He was a fantastic steward and good to us jockeys,” he said.
Criminologist has now won three races with four minor placings from her15 starts.
Kissee connects
Kilmore trainer Hanna Powell and district hoop Jason Baldock combined with Kissee Mee ($6) to win the last at Bendigo last Saturday, the Rising Sun Hotel 0-58 Handicap (1100m).
The home-bred seven-year-old Primus mare, raced by the trainer, defeated Major Paterson ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length.
The victory was Kissee Mee’s fifth from 43 starts. She has had seven minor placings.
Happy Thursday
Kilmore Racing Club will host a turf meeting at bet365 Park Kilmore next Thursday,  February 27. For a la carte dining bookings at Trackside, call 03 5783 0777.