Punters endured a tough day at Warracknabeal last Saturday, with big priced winners and beaten favourites the flavour of the day. 
Ballarat trainer Daniel Kelly stunned onlookers when his nine-start maiden Timber Princess ($26) exploded away from her rivals on the turn to record a dominant eight-length win in the second race on the card. 
The five-year-old daughter of Reward For Effort sat in the three-wide line with cover from the 1200-metre start before peeling out wider approaching the home bend, kept going by jockey Paul Gatt as others were held up making their runs. The race was over at the 200-metre marker, the outsider streaking away for an easy win.
The bagmen were cheering again in race three, with Maher/Eustace galloper Princess Tosen ($14) nabbing Irresistible Force ($2.80) in the final strides to take out a 1200-metre maiden. 
Most punters had only picked themselves off the floor when Booker Tee ($26) swept home to claim race six over 2000 metres as the rank outsider in a small field.
It was a welcome form reversal for the Symon Wilde-trained galloper, who had been well held since winning at Ballarat in March. Punters looking to get out in the last were left to look elsewhere, as Disco Tilmorn ($15) took out race eight with a strong 2¼-length win over 1200 metres. 
It was the six-year-old’s second win in her last three starts for trainer Darryl Dodson, holding off market leaders Hanibal Hero ($4.20) and Sir Maximus ($3.10) in the concluding stages. 
Follow these
For punters out of pocket, there are a few from the beaten brigade at Warracknabeal we can follow to the races next time out. 
Maher/Eustace gelding Rich Glow powered home in the opening event over 1000 metres and just missed. The four-year-old son of Capitalist improved sharply back to a grass surface and should not remain a maiden for much longer. 
From the same race, Shecanmixit had her first start for James and Lisa Dodgson and was tightened for room when challenging late. Keep an eye out for this galloper in the Wimmera or just over the South Australian border in the coming weeks.
Hell Follows for Shane Nichols and My Gal Val for Paul Preusker should have finished closer in race two, both held up for clear running before featuring in a blanket go for the minors behind runaway winner Timber Princess.
Trial file
There was a hint of spring in the air as Stawell hosted a big set of official trials on heavy ground on Wednesday. 
Henry Dwyer’s star mare Asfoora breezed around in the first heat of the morning, recording the fastest time (47.8 seconds) of the 800-metre trials. 
The Oakleigh Plate placegetter was kept under a tight hold as she easily won the heat, and looks set for a strong tilt at the early spring features. The five-year-old sprinter will be first up into the Group 3 Heath 1100 at Caulfield next Saturday, before tackling the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on AFL Grand Final eve. 
Local spring contender Steparty backed up his impressive Horsham jumpout with another solid display, finishing third under a stranglehold over 1000 metres. Paul Preusker’s three-year-old colt remains on track for a first-up assault at The Valley on September 9. 
Groovy Tuesday
Racing returns to Royal Donald on Tuesday.