Horsham held a set of official trials on Wednesday, with some real firepower gearing up for the spring ahead. 
Heat one of the morning saw Paul Preusker’s star duo Torranzino and Steparty cruise around with Mitch Freedman’s Group 1 winner Attrition over 1100 metres. 
Preusker’s Oak Park Rebel won the heat, with the aforementioned trio were untested throughout. Second in the trial was Dane Smith’s veteran Man From Uncle, who’s been off the scene for almost two years. The 12-year-old showed he still has a zest for racing, pushing Oak Park Rebel to the line.
Freedman’s other Group 1 hero Skybird was also in attendance, looking to replicate the recipe that saw her victorious in the Lightning Stakes in February. 
The five-year-old daughter of Exosphere trialled at Horsham 10 days before her Flemington success. With the Moir Stakes 10 days after Wednesday’s trial win, why couldn’t lightning strike twice?
Hard workers reap rewards
Last weekend’s Country Racing Victoria Awards night was one to remember for the Wimmera, with three prizes heading west from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 
Quill McQuilty from The Buloke Times took home the Jack Styring CRV Media Award for best capturing the spirit of country racing throughout the season. It is just recognition for the paper’s unwavering support and commitment to covering racing throughout the region, and that of the racing enthusiasts within the Buloke Shire.
The Great Western Racing Club was awarded the CRV Community Club Event of the Year, following its popular raceday on the Australia Day long weekend. 
More than 2000 people flocked to the once-a-year meeting, many with caravans and swags, and it’s a day on the calendar that must be marked on every racing fan’s bucket list. There was no more hard-earned or well deserved award handed out on the night than this one — well done!
And finally, congratulations to the Horsham and District Racing Club for being named the CRV Community Club of the Year. 
Horsham enjoyed a terrific season of racing, picking up three transferred meetings on top of its scheduled racedays and jumpouts, and delivered one of the best-attended Horsham Cup days in recent memory. 
All reports suggest there were some standout performers on the night around the Horsham table, while president Pop Murray was so overwhelmed by the emotion of the night he could barely recall his acceptance speech.
Head for the Hills
We’re back racing at Warracknabeal this Saturday, with the 2015-metre Sheep Hills Cup headlining a terrific day of racing.