Linda Meech had a day out at Edenhope on Saturday, dominating the meeting with four winners including a crushing victory in the Edenhope Cup aboard Precious Charm ($2.35 favourite).
Meech took the Symon Wilde-trained galloper straight to the front from the 2000-metre start, heading past the winning post for the first time with a two-length lead on the rest of the field.
The five-year-old Per Incanto mare did as she pleased at the head of proceedings, given a steady time until the 400-metre mark, where she opened up a three-length buffer and broke the hearts of her rivals.
The run home was merely a procession, the leading hoop sitting up for the photo to complete the 6¼-length rout in front of a big crowd in warm conditions.
Earlier in the day, Meech gave Tom Dabernig’s debutant Erminia ($3.50) a perfect steer to take out the 1200-metre maiden. The three-year-old daughter of Toronado had won her most recent jumpout at Warrnambool and carried that form to raceday, finding a gap at the right time to cruise to a 1¼-length win.
Race five saw a typical on-speed win from the veteran jock, leading every step of the 1000-metre journey aboard South Australian visitor Bentley Brook ($3.40).
The Brett Campbell-trained gelding never looked in danger of defeat, notching his fourth win from 21 starts overall, his first for the Gawler yard in four attempts.
After bringing up a winning treble in the cup, Meech wasn’t done with yet, playing the stalking role in the last event for Geelong trainer Chris Calthorpe on his in-form mare Vizie ($2.15 favourite).
The four-year-old daughter of Epaulette was given a lovely trail behind the leaders from the 1850-metre start but needed room at the top of the straight to navigate around tiring runners.
Cornering to the middle of the track, the mare soon opened up a commanding lead, soft on the line to record a 2½-length win.
Meech heaped praise on the track and ground staff post-meeting, recognising the time and effort involved in preparing a suitable surface for racing following an extended dry period.
Understated jockey Neil Farley was the other multiple victor on the day, registering a winning double to extend his good tun of form in the Wimmera. Farley has had 68 rides at Wimmera tracks this season, notching 13 wins at 19 per cent and placing on 18 other occasions.
Hansel doubles up for Dane
Dane Smith’s promising galloper Mr Hansel has made it two wins from as many starts for the Stawell trainer, the rise to 64 grade at Warrnambool on Monday proving no concern for the lightly raced seven-year-old.
The Kuroshio gelding smashed his rivals first up at Ararat on February 16 in 0-58 company, backing that up with another solid win at the ’Bool as the punters’ $4.40 second pick.
Alana Kelly enjoyed a trail just off the speed for much of the 1100 metres, turning for home three wide and ready to let down.
Mr Hansel quickly took over and opened up a two-length margin approaching the 100-metre mark, holding favourite Persian Spirit, who was charging but never looked like arriving in time.
The pair left a gap back to the third-placed runner, and both can be followed wherever they step out next.