Leading trainers Don Dwyer and Troy Kilgower are going toe-to-toe early doors, with each bringing up his sixth winner for the season at Yea last Saturday.
It was Dwyer who took the honours on the day with three winners, a second and a third from six runners.
Desert Boots, a very recent acquisiton from part-owner Craig Weeding, kicked off the day for Dwyer thanks to a lovely ride by Sarah McDonough in the 1300-metre maiden. The pair trailed the speed and came three off on straightening to run by the leading pair, with Tornado Anwa running on well for second.
Desert Boots, a son of Royal Meeting, had had eight starts with Weeding for one minor placing.
Dwyer teamed up with leading rider Shaun Cooper for his next two winners, beginning in race two with Oriental Dane, another horse making her stable debut.
The Sir Prancelot mare, who’d run last at Wagga on October 31, overcame an awkward start and surged home from the second half of the field to win her second race in 12 starts.
A far more familiar horse to the stable is Pine Valley, who joined Dwyer in September last year and has since raced 21 times for six wins and 11 minor placings. 
Last Saturday’s win, her second at Yea and her first over the 2140-metre trip, saw her come from last at the 800m to nail brave leader Where Ya Bean, for trainer/rider Tyson Barton, right on the line.
Unfortunately for Cooper he will miss two meetings after this Saturday’s Healesville meeting, suspended for causing interference at the 500-metre mark. He will be joined on the sidelines by Mel McDonald, who also copped a two-meeting suspension over her ride on eighth-placed Bulletproof in race one.
Nic in time
Later on the Yea card, Troy Kilgower’s Nic Says No made it three wins on end with a slender victory over 1600 metres.
The in-form son of Niconoise was well positioned midfield on the rails by Ben Moffat and joined in at the right time, but had a tough assignment reeling in runner-up Mallee Maid, who’d trailed the leader and taken over on cornering.
Race favourite These Boots, for Dwyer and Cooper, was one of the runs of the day, unable to get moving from the back until just before cornering and finishing strongly for third.
Recruits on the rampage
Four of the six winners at Yea were making their debut for a new trainer.
Along with two of Dwyer’s winners, Qubella for Barry Goodwin and Fumage for Liam Howley made the perfect start from their new surroundings.
Qubella, a Rubick mare, won three times for Rhys Archard before moving to Goodwin. She came from midfield one off the rails at Yea to win under Maddison Morris.
Fumage, a Trapeze Artist mare having her first start since leaving the Hayes brothers, travelled well off a fast speed before getting a gap one off the fence at the 250m and coming clear under Jack Virgona.