St Arnaud held 12 jumpouts on a rain-soaked Tuesday morning this week, with a few efforts worthy of mention and following. 
Twister produced a visually impressive gallop, stopping the clock at 57 seconds in his 900-metre heat. It wasn’t the fastest heat of the morning, but the ease with which the new-season three-year-old cruised around in deteriorating conditions suggests he has some ability. 
This was the first time we’ve seen the son of Nicconi at the jumpouts and he’s one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. He’s trained at Freshwater Creek by Jamie Edwards.
I Will Shine, for co-trainers Maddie Raymond and Patrick Bell, went a shade quicker (56.95 seconds), returning to the jumpouts following a plain effort when in the market on debut at Bendigo last month. Expect better from this four-year-old wherever he steps out next.
Ex-SA mare Ballon D’or made the most of having first use of the St Arnaud track, recording clearly the fastest time of the morning at 55.45 seconds. 
The new addition to Charles Cassar’s stable was given a light shake-up in the run home but had plenty in hand crossing the line. No surprise to see her show up fresh.
Kennedy honoured
Congratulations to Ararat Turf Club’s Jade Kennedy, named the Victorian racecourse track manager of the year for season 2024/25. Ararat hosted seven race meetings last season, plus several sets of trials and jumpouts, and the surface was lauded by participants through a period when suitable grass tracks proved tricky to find. Terrific, Jade.
Back to the ’Beal
Saturday racing returns to Warracknabeal this weekend.