Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin’s speedster Fox Man broke through for a deserved maiden victory at Warracknabeal last Friday, kicking off the 10-race card with an emphatic win.
The three-year-old had been runner-up in six of nine previous attempts but never looked in danger as he jumped straight on the bunny from the 1000-metre start.
Jockey Jack Hill shook up the $2.50 favourite on straightening and the son of Rich Enuff quickly put a gap on his rivals, easing down late to record a four-length win.
With the monkey off his back, it will be no surprise to see Fox Man go on with the job and add to the win column, his time of 58.88 within half a second of the benchmark races later in the day.
Bobbin completed an early two-state double when his Overshare filly Silky Smooth ($3.50) led throughout to win her maiden in race two at Bordertown. The three-year-old was racing for the first time since November and having just her third career start.
She can be followed to 58 grade next start.
Back-up plan pays
The form from the Warracknabeal meeting has already produced a winner, with Golden Mikki ($5.50) getting the job done at Murray Bridge on Wednesday for Horsham trainer Paul Preusker.
The gelded son of Mikki Isle was an eye-catcher behind Final Boy ($7.50) over 1200 metres last Friday, making a sustained wide run to close within a length of the winner on the line, in what was clearly the run of the race.
The rise to 1400 metres on a five-day back-up proved ideal for the four-year-old, who enjoyed a kinder run in transit and finished too well up the long home straight.
Follow that Street
Warracknabeal hosted a set of official trials on Wednesday morning, with the standout performer stepping out in the last of six 1000-metre heats.
Paul Preusker’s stable newcomer Struggle Street sizzled around the tight Wimmera circuit in the fastest time of the morning (59.9 seconds) under a tight grip from veteran hoop Dean Yendall.
The four-year-old daughter of Street Boss, formerly with Peter Gelagotis, backed up her impressive jumpout win at Ararat a month earlier and must be followed wherever she shows up at the races.