Stawell hosted its first meeting in almost 12 months on Saturday, the seven-race card going off without a hitch in warm conditions. 
The club has navigated some difficult times since the 11th-hour abandonment of its Easter Sunday cup meeting, but that all seemed a distant memory as the track was in tip-top order for racing last weekend. 
The popular win of the day (for the locals anyway) was the dashing performance of Take The Prize ($20) for Stawell trainer Dane Smith. 
The six-year-old Bon Hoffa mare was taken straight to the lead by apprentice Sarah Field, pinching a break approaching the home bend and getting as far as five lengths in front in the home straight. 
Smith’s mare felt the pinch towards the end of the 1300-metre event but had the race in her keeping, holding a margin of two lengths on the line. 
It was a welcome return to form for the local, who since winning at Wycheproof in November 2024  had beaten just nine of 79 rivals home in eight starts. 
Cup joy for Jade
The weekend would only get better for the Smith clan when apprentice jockey Jade Smith piloted Vega Magnifico ($13) to victory in the 2000-metre Bordertown Cup. 
The young hoop sat outside leader and race favourite Chairman ($3.70) before piling the pressure on early at the 800-metre mark. 
The race was on in earnest from that point, a busy finish seeing four horses within half a length at the finish, Smith urging her mount home under hands and heels in the closing stages. 
It was a 10th victory from 63 rides for the Wimmera jockey, striking at an impressive 16 per cent early in her career.
Head for Horsham
Racing heads to Horsham on Sunday for the club’s Santa Day program, backed up with a barbecue (and jumpouts) Monday morning.