Kilmore trainer Dale Schmitt notched a satisfying result when Lady Cellarbration ($7.50) broke through for her first win at start number 19 at Bendigo last Sunday.
The four-year-old Dr Doute’s mare was having her sixth start for Schmitt when she narrowly took out the $31,500 Australian Bloodstock Maiden Plate over 1400 metres.
The mare, vigorously ridden by Tasmanian hoop, Craig Newitt, held on to defeat the locally trained Sly Sloth ($3.70) by a short half-head with Ski Zoom ($3.80) a length away third.
It was a drought-breaker for Schmitt, whose last winner had been Nippinski on the Geelong synthetic track five years ago.
Adding to Sunday’s thrill for Schmitt, the mare’s ownership includes several of his mates from Lancefield Golf Club, among them Kilmore Racing Club treasurer Mark Cruise.
“She hasn’t disgraced herself once since we’ve had her, so happy days,” Schmitt said.
“I think the Milky Bars will be on me at the pub tomorrow night.”
Regem reigns again
The George Osborne-trained Celeritate Regem  extended his career-best run of form with a win at Donald last Saturday.
The five-year-old Equiano gelding made it two wins from his past three starts, narrowly taking out the Happy 70th Birthday Geoff Rigby 0-58 Handicap over 1204 metres.
Celeritate Regem ($5), ridden by in-form apprentice Campbell Rawiller, defeated $3.60 favourite Astro Castro by a short half-head with Indian Rani ($4.60) two lengths away third. 
Celeritate Regem, a half-brother to stablemate Young Cliffy (by Canford Cliffs), has now won three races with 11 minor placings from his 26 starts.
Hill looks handy
Seymour trainer Jamie Scott produced a smart debutant at Swan Hill on Monday.
He saddled up Clifton Hill ($12) for an impressive win in the bet365 OddsDrift Protector 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m), defeating Warrowie Rose ($6) by 2¼ lengths.
The win was the first leg of a riding double for Craig Newitt, on top of a double at Bendigo the previous day.
Scott said this was the Canford Cliffs gelding’s first preparation with the stable. Clifton Hill had been in work previously with the Hayes/Dabernig team of Lindsay Park but hadn’t got to the races.
“He’s always shown nice ability and he wants to be a racehorse. It was only his first start and I think there’s a fair bit of improvement,” he said.
The win was an added bonus for the breeder and part-owner Max Smart, 96, as the gelding is Super VOBIS-qualified and earned $7770 on top of the winner’s cheque.
True ambassador
This writer would like to pass on my deepest sympathy to the family of former Seymour trainer and Racing Victoria clerk of course Graham Salisbury, who lost his long battle with cancer at Bendigo Hospital last Saturday.
Residing at Heathcote, Graham was a regular around the district, visiting aged-care facilities and schools with 1992 Melbourne Cup winned Subzero.
A true racing ambassador and community servant, he will be sorely missed.
Follow these
• Wardy Boy: This Kilmore galloper got a mention in the column last week and trainer Lesia Masnyj gave him a quick back-up on Monday at Swan Hill, where he came from back in the field to finish second to Taco Tiger. The third-placed horse was 4¾ lengths away. Keep following him.
• Diabolical: The Alicia Macpherson-trained four-year-old I Am Invincible mare put in an improved run at Swan Hill, coming from last at the 400 metres to finish a little over a length from smart winner Soleil De Lune. I think the mare will get further.
• Ocean Blast. This writer and stepson Chris Nolan have a small interest in this lightly raced Ocean Park four-year-old gelding trained by Monica Croston and Gerrad Gilmour. Having only his fourth start and his first run since January, the gelding ran a creditable second placing at Pakenham last Friday, going down to the debutant The Felon ($3.20 favourite) – a brother to the smart Ken’s Dream. Here’s hoping!