Horsham trainer Simon Gebert enjoyed a fruitful weekend, preparing two winners across a memorable 48 hours. 
First, the popular horseman travelled his consistent mare What A Flirt ($5) to Bendigo on Saturday, the six-year-old getting the job done in a 1400-metre 0-56 handicap. 
Jockey Eoin Walsh earned his riding fee from the outset, niggling at the daughter of Starcraft to hold her position midfield of a fast tempo up front. Walsh saved ground on the home bend and switched off heels on straightening, What A Flirt finishing best to score by a long neck. 
The result brought up win number three for What A Flirt to go along with seven minor placings, Gebert’s galloper rarely far away in her 22-start career.
The party started on Sunday though, when $3 favourite Thunder Park led every step of the way to win on home soil at Horsham. 
The eight-year-old galloper found the front comfortably for jockey Alana Kelly and never looked in any danger from the 1100-metre start, notching a third win from 12 starts since joining Gebert’s stable. 
Gebert was one of three Wimmera trainers to record wins at Horsham, joining Andrew Bobbin, who took out the MCC Country Series heat with his talented gelding Belthil ($8.50), and Paul Preusker, who saddled the quinella in the last event when Budjik Boy ($4.20) mowed down Chairman ($4.40).
Pirate plunders
The Horsham Cup has headed to Ballarat, with the Henry Dwyer-trained Pittsburgh Pirate ($10) taking out last Sunday’s 2100-metre feature. 
It was a welcome return to form for last year’s St Arnaud and Ararat Cup winner, who was the subject of significant late market support, with as much as $31 on offer at the start of the day. 
Jockey Neil Farley let the speed battle unfold before him, predictably seeing I Am The Empire ($5) and Rich Champagne ($4.40) lead the field from the outset. 
When $3 favourite Tikemyson took over from the tiring leaders at the top of the straight, the Cup looked to be in his keeping as he opened up a two-length gap at the 150-metre mark. 
But gun country hoop Farley set about bridging the gap, balancing Pittsburgh Pirate and charging to the line late, scoring relatively softly in the end by half a length. 
Commander Harry went one better than last year by finishing a distant third, but the day belonged to the Pirate (who jumped from barrier two, for those following from last week).
Pittsburgh will surely feature again before the country cups season is out.
Don’t be St Elsewhere
St Arnaud takes centre stage this weekend for its once-a-year cup meeting, ably supported by Moonee Valley.