Warrnambool trainers dominated last Sunday’s Casterton Cup meeting, picking up seven of the nine races including the feature.
Symone Wilde trained four winners, Shane Jackson two — Flying Basil in the Casterton Cup and first-season jumper Highland Blaze in the open hurdle — and Adam Chambers one.
“It’s been a great day,” Wilde said. “We went in quietly confident we might get a winner or two but to have four is a wonderful result for the stable.
“We had a bit of success at Warrnambool but we knew we were one run behind with a few of our runners at the carnival and that showed today when they won.”
Enchanted Elle and Cool King won the two divisions of the maiden hurdle and Wilde predicts a bright future for both.
“They’re still learning about the jumping caper,” he said. “They both ran well at Warrnambool but I knew they’d derive great benefit out of that.”
In other stable news, Wilde may send maiden performer Rhooky to the spelling paddock following his unplaced run in the $150,000 Sir Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m) for three-year-olds at Flemington last Saturday.
Rhooky was having just his second start when he ran sixth behind Politely Dun. He’d placed on debut in a maiden at the Warrnambool carnival.
“We’ve got a bit of an opinion of him and I don’t want to rush him,” Wilde said.
“He’s a nice type and with a bit of time I’m confident he’ll be winning nice staying races in the future.”
Bill’s a Bally marvel
Young trainer Adam Chambers made sure to thank loyal owner Bill Slattery after Slattery’s home-bred mare Ballynacally won a maiden over 1200 metres at Casterton on Sunday.
With Linda Meech in the saddle, Ballynacally ($2.35 favourite) led all the way to beat Buttercup by a length and a half, having run second on debut at Donald 15 days earlier.
“I’ve got to send out a big thankyou to Bill,” Chambers said. “I’ve had my trainer’s licence for about ten years and Bill has been very loyal. He’s always had one of his home-breds in my stable.
“I’ve only got the six horses in work so it’s great to have loyal owners like Bill there with you.
“I must admit I thought Ballynacally would have won at Donald. It was probably only (a lack of) raceday experience that beat her.”
The Warrnambool trainer says he’s taking it a race at a time with the Toronado mare.
“I’ve got no big goals for her. We’ll just see how she pulls up.
“I think she’s got a bit of ability but I don’t like rushing my horses. I prefer to give them a bit of time.
“She’s a well bred mare, a lovely type of horse and given time she should do well.”
Sunday’s win took Ballynacally’s stake earnings to $19,440.
Track defies drought
Months of hard work by Casterton Racing Club officials paid dividends with a successful cup meeting last Sunday.
“We’re very lucky to have a great committee and volunteers that worked tirelessly to make sure the meeting went ahead in very dry conditions in this part of the state,” HRC president Mark Davis said.
“I really want to thank our track man Gary Norris. He’s done a sensational job making sure the course proper and the jumping track were in great order. Gary has been watering the track since February.
“Only two weeks ago we were worried the steeplechase might have to be deleted but Gary worked around the clock to ensure everything was all right.
“We ran out of dam water weeks ago so we’ve been using the town supply to get things right. I’d hate to think what our water bill will be but we got through the day.
“Casterton Cup day is a big social event on the local calendar so it was important we went ahead because the locals are doing it tough.”
The meeting saw a new betting area used for the first time, as well as a judge’s and broadcasting box. Davis said they proved a big winner.
“The new closed-in betting area was jam-packed,” he said. “The new facility kept the people out of the cold.
“I’ve got no doubt the facility will get plenty of use and will be a bonus for the club. We’ll be able to host various functions  to generate money.”
Casterton Racing Club hosts its next meeting on Sunday June 29.
Black-booker
Cachink: The Matty Williams-trained three-year-old resumed with a nice effort last Saturday from barrier 10 over 1400 metres at Flemington. It’s always a tough task from that wide gate at that distance. The lightly raced galloper was caught wide but was still boxing on strongly over the concluding stages.
He should add another few wins to his record this preparation.