Hobby trainer Mark Greig couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after Sunday’s Jericho Cup day at Warrnambool.
A Warrnambool local, Greig saddled up Sabre Athena ($15) to win the $60,000 Jericho Cup consolation, in doing so guaranteeing herself a start in the next year’s $300,000 main event. 
Sabre Athena’s win under Portia Matthews also saw Greig pick up the day’s $25,000 bonus for the winning trainer with the fewest horses in their name, whether in work or spelling.
“It’s been a big day — the biggest day I’ve had as a trainer,” Greig said. “I really want to thank Bill Gibbins for coming up with the concept and also Racing Victoria, plus the Warrnambool Racing Club. 
“It’s not every day of the week that a small trainer can win a feature race and also pick up a $25,000 bonus. 
“We’ll give Sabre Athena a good spell now and get her set for next year.”
Sunday’s victory saw the chestnut Americain mare take her earnings to $73,188 from 25 starts for two wins.
She will be eight years old when the 2026 Jericho Cup rolls around.
Thanks, Joe
Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig sang the praises of syndicator Joe O’Neill after Bine ($8.50) won a $50,000 benchmark 70 at the Warrnambool meeting.
“Joe’s been a big supporter of our stable,” he said. “It’s people like Joe that keep racing going. 
“He’s a wonderful person. Joe’s got 20 horses in the stable and it’s great to get another winner for him.”
Bine has only been in Dabernig’s care for five starts and Sunday was her first win for the popular trainer.
“Bine had been racing in Tasmania but she’d reached her limit over there,” Dabernig said. 
“Her rating was getting too high so Joe got her sent over to us. 
“I was really happy with her last run at Caulfield. She got shuffled back in the run before finishing the race off powerfully. I came to Sunday’s race quietly confident.”
Bine has won $197,235 from her 23 starts.
Major reshuffle
Wet weather forced a rethink last weekend for Warrnambool trainer Adam Chambers, with two of his three runners scratched.
Chambers scratched stable star Major Share from the $175,000 Doveton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, and Ballynacally from Warrnambool on Sunday. 
“It’s useless sending them around on soft or heavy if they don’t handle it,” Chambers said. He said Major Share remained in top order for Plan B, which is this Saturday’s $150,000 Tonks Plate (1100m) at Ballarat.
Ryan to back up Beyond
Honest Warrnambool galloper Ocean Beyond is likely to back up in Saturday’s $500,000 listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) after his tough third in the $200,000 Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield last week.
“It was a very good run,” trainer Simon Ryan said. “With a bit of luck we might have run second. 
“He deserves a crack at the Ballarat Cup.”