Consistent Warrnambool galloper Persian Spirit kept his top-three record intact with an impressive first-up victory at Flemington last Saturday.
The $51 chance beat Tonkin by a length and a half in the benchmark 78 TAB We’re On (1100m) to take his record to four wins and nine placings from 13 starts. 
Trainer Symon Wilde was delighted with the performance of the lightly raced five-year-old.
“It’s very satisfying,” Wilde said. “There’s not many horses that have collected a top-three cheque in 13 consecutive runs and to top it off with a win at Flemington makes it more special. 
“We’ve got to lift the bar again with him — I’m not sure where his next run will be.
“He’s been a bargain buy. He only cost $6000 and he’s earned more than $195,000.
“And there’s more wins in store going on Saturday’s run.”
Wilde praised the ride of talented hoop Harry Coffey.
Maher has faith in Wil
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher is looking for sharp improvement from Another Wil in the $1 million Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield this Saturday.
Another Wil resumed with an unplaced run in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday August 30 but Maher is confident the Woolsthorpe-bred galloper will put in a forward showing in the Rupert Clarke.
“I’m expecting him to run a lot better,” the Winslow export said. “I’m sure he’ll be improved with the run under his belt. 
“I was thinking of running him last Saturday in the Makybe Diva but I decided to give him another week and I’m glad we’ve gone down that path.”
Maher says there are numerous options for Another Wil over the spring but he’ll have a clearer idea after Saturday’s race.
From 17 starts Another Wil has won nine races including the Group 1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield in February. 
Bill’s back
Following a five-week break, colourful Colac trainer Bill Cerchi is looking forward to having starters again early next month.
“I had a few weeks’ break in the depths of the winter,” Cerchi said. “It’s really tough to train horses in Colac in winter. 
“I’ve come back pretty fresh. The horses have been back in work for seven weeks. 
“I’ve only got the four in work but fingers crossed there’s a winner or two amongst them.” 
’Lake looking likely
Mortlake Racing Club manger Karen Van Kempen is hoping for a big crowd at the club’s annual cup meeting on Victoria Derby day, Saturday November 1.
Van Kempen points out this year’s cup purse will have a $10,000 increase to $50,000.
“It’s wonderful the cup will be a $50,000 race,” she said. “I’m sure owners and trainers will support it. 
“We’ve already sold a lot of packages for the day and I’m confident if we get good weather we should get over 1800 patrons. 
“Our annual cup day is a great fit for the VRC Derby meeting.”
Seven races are programmed for the Mortlake Cup meeting.
All systems go for Jericho
Despite an unplaced run in restricted company at Geelong last Friday, Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan will push ahead with plans to run nine-year-old Ferago in the Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on Sunday November 30.
Ryan said he’s prepared to put a line through Ferago’s run at Geelong, where he beat only one horse home over 2440 metres. 
Rawiller rides again
Heavyweight jockey Campbell Rawiller last Saturday rode his first winner since a relocation to the western district.
Rawiller rode a perfectly timed race to get Ripper ($10) home from near last in 0-56 grade over 1620 metres at Donald for Horsham trainer Paul Preusker.
Rawiller has ridden 194 winners at a strike rate of more than 10 per cent since debuting at Jerilderie in September 2019.