Kyneton trainer George Osborne enjoyed a productive 24 hours last week with winners at Bendigo on Friday and Echuca the following day. 
At Bendigo, the in-form trainer saddled up Reine Happy ($7) for an all-the-way win in the $31,500 RMBL Investments Rising Stars Race, a benchmark 64 over 1300 metres. 
The win was a big thrill for apprentice Tayla Childs, daughter of former dual Cox Plate-winning jockey Greg and sister to current rider Jordie, as it was her first victory since beginning her riding career in May. 
The eight-year-old Good Journey gelding hung on to defeat $1.80 favourite Lake’s Folly by a neck with Sabotage ($14) a further four lengths away third. 
“It couldn’t have been better. It’s all about Tayla today and it’s fantastic, and I’m very happy for her,” Osborne said after the win. 
“The horse just does what he does and he’s a great horse for these kids starting off. 
“He’s won 12 races and most of them have been the same way (leading) and he just loves Bendigo.” 
Osborne purchased the gelding at the 2013 Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale. 
Reine Happy has 15 minor placings to go with those 12 wins from his 57 starts. He has earned $214,465 in prizemoney. 
At Echuca, Osborne was successful with Eastern Pegasus ($4.20 favourite). 
The six-year-old Floral Pegasus gelding, ridden by apprentice Matthew Cartwright, was a comfortable winner of the Border Inn 0-58 Handicap (1200m). 
The gelding defeated Dash To The Bar ($5.50) by three-quarters of a length. 
Eastern Pegasus has now won six races with 11 minor placings from his 37 starts. 
Aphotic in the zone 
Kyneton trainer Michael Jones saddled-up Aphotic ($15) for an emphatic win on Pakenham’s Racing.com Park synthetic track last Sunday. 
The Lonhro four-year-old gelding, patiently ridden by Jarrod Fry, came from the rear of the 11-horse field to take out the Battery Zone 0-58 Handicap over 1400 metres. 
The gelding defeated the Seymour-trained Dishy’s ($10) by two lengths with the Sue Naylor-trained $3.60 favourite Paris Gem a long neck away third. 
Aphotic was having his sixth start for Jones. He was previously trained by the Cranbourne duo Trent Busultin and Natalie Young. He’s won three races from 16 starts overall.
Sister eases pain 
Seymour Racing Club committeeman Frank Butler, wife Karen and daughter Katelyn are still devastated at losing Seymour Cup winner Admiral’s Joker earlier this year, but were had some consolation when the ill-fated gelding’s half-sister Shantaro ($2-$1.50 favourite) scored at Warracknabeal on Monday.
The four-year-old Equiano mare, coming off an impressive debut second at Seymour last month, was a narrow winner of the Welcome Back RVL Owners Maiden Plate (1000m).
Trained at Colac by Kylie Vella and ridden by her husband Steven, the mare defeated Real Roy ($11) by a half-head with Lowanna Magic a further two lengths away third.
“We’ve always thought she had a bit of ability but she’s still quite green and she was quite keen in the run early,” Kylie Vella said.
“She’s still got a little bit to learn and there is a fair bit of upside with that.
“It was good to get the win for Frank and Karen as they’ve put a lot of money into her and it’s good to get the win as it’s been a long time getting her to the races (due to feet issues).”
Like Admiral’s Joker, Shantaro was bred by the Butlers.
Follow these . . .
• Leica Secondchance – The Tom Conlan-part-owned and trained Fiorente mare, who’s a bit of a grinder, finished a little over three lengths behind the winner at Warracknabeal on Monday. Should get away with a weak maiden over a little more ground. 
• Kiss Me If You Can — A younger half-brother to Kissee Mee, also owned and trained by Hanna Powell, he ran a nice debut race at Echuca on Saturday, sitting outside the leader most of the journey.
• Campbell Rawiller — Just follow!