In-form Bendigo galloper My Boy Nick made it three wins from his past six runs with an impressive benchmark 58 victory at Spendthrift Park Werribee last Thursday.
After settling just behind the speed, apprentice Laura Lafferty made her move around the home turn and the gelding extended well in the straight to win with 62.5kg. The four-year-old clearly has a liking for the Werribee 1100 metres is it was his second win at the course and distance.
 It was an emotional win for trainer Janet Wicks, who adores the horse.
“It means the world — he’s just my favourite horse,” she said. “He gets kisses and carrots every night and is a beautiful, fuss-free horse. I’m so proud of him.”
The penny has definitely dropped with the son of Reward For Effort, who looks likely to step up and be competitive in a stronger grade.
Son rises
Sutton Grange two-year-old Wegottem Today Son looks to have a bright future after saluting at his third start for Brent Stanley at the Werribee meeting.
The Manhattan Rain gelding had some decent form on the board, notably his debut second to subsequent VOBIS Gold Rush runner-up Frostin’, making his $11 starting price at Werribee surprisingly generous.
Wegottem Today Son got his name from a catchphrase for his late breeder.  
Under pressure outside the leader on the turn, Wegottem Today Son fought on hard to score by a length under Joe Bowditch.
The manner of the win indicated he might get over more ground in future than last week’s 1100 metres.
Gloves in KO blow
After a very impressive jumpout at Bendigo punters didn’t miss the Kym Hann-trained Gloves Are Off as she started a short-priced favourite in the opener on last Saturday’s Warracknabeal Cup card.
After sitting outside the leader, the Toronado filly took some riding from Harry Coffey as she was green and didn’t handle the corner well.
On  straightening, however, her class was obvious. She went through her gears to come away with a soft 1½-length win.
Hann says he’s always had a high opinion of Gloves Are Off, who was well in the market debuting on Bendigo Cup day last spring.
“She’s still extremely green and has no idea yet but has a lot of upside,” he said.
The filly looks to have a bright future and Hann clearly believes in the pedigree as he recently purchased a half-brother by More Than Ready at the yearling sales.
Ceardai all the way
Goldfields gallopers were prominent at the 140th Kerang Cup meeting last Saturday and Brent Stanley came home with a winner in Sona Bloodstock’s Ceardai.
It was an easy watch for favourite backers as the six-year-old led all the way to score by 4½ lengths in the Jack Fowler Memorial Benchmark 58 (1800m) under Dylan Dunn.
Consistent Bendigo galloper Bedouin King finished runner-up for Rod Symons.
Elsewhere on the card, Bendigo trainer Josh Julius nearly took home the main prize, with Rhythmic Queen falling just short of Patrick Payne’s Portland Jimmy in the cup.
Braddock (Neville Kennedy) and Play On Words (Symons) were other Bendigo gallopers to place at the meeting.