A pair of trainers trying to make names for themselves enjoyed a great Christmas period with big days at the Drouin and Alexandra holiday meetings.
Cranbourne trainer Dennis Julius took four horses to Drouin on Boxing Day, bagging a double and a second, while Kilmore-based horseman David Dean went one better and notched a treble from his three runners at Alexandra last Saturday.
Julius, who trained his first winner in December 2024, had his fifth at Yarra Valley on December 19 when Intimeofneed scored a narrow victory and the good form continued at Drouin a week later.
The stable collected both maidens on the program, led by four-year-old mare Banjette winning at her fourth start under Sophie Clayfield. The mare became the fifth winner for Rosehill-winning Snitzel stallion Skyclad.
Divine Prophet mare Hail Hail broke through later on the day at start 10 under Shaun Cooper, having been placed at Woolamai and Balnarring already this season.
A day later it was Dean, from a well known racing family and cousin of former picnic rider Dylan, who took centre stage at Alexandra.
His truckload of three all returned home winners, incuding Miss Himalaya, who provided Dean with his first training success in July when she won a benchmark 52 race at Moe.
She was well placed at the weights on Saturday, carrying 63kg after Jasmine Trenwith’s claim, in receipt of 7½kg and 5kg on her only two rivals, and she duly bolted in by four lengths.
Dean also won both maidens on the card, with recent bloodstockauction.com purchase ($1100) Indian Hills winning at her first go for the stable. 
The Dundeel mare was well steered by Leigh Taylor.
And Frosted filly Frostration accounted for two rivals in easy style under Rowan Cox, holding a seven-length margin over the runner up.
Nic makes it four
Troy Kilgower’s in-form gelding Nic Says No brought up a season-high four wins on the circuit when he took out the $10,000 Drouin Cup (1775m) on Boxing Day.
The versatile six-year-old son of Niconoise has scored his four wins at different tracks. This was by far his toughest test to date as the lowest rater (28) in the field, but one he passed with flying colours under Ben Moffat, who went to second on the premiership on seven wins, nine behind Shaun Cooper, whose treble across the double header maintained his dominance. 
Cup topweight Sacra, giving 7kg to the winner, was brave in second, with her trainer Jason Evans gaining a consolation win in the last race when Carlito Brigante scored a narrow win.
Old firm doubles up
Cooper partnered with Don Dwyer for a double at Alexandra, with both Pine Valley and Wilma Wombat bringing up their second wins for the season.
Spieth gelding Pine Valley won five times last season including three post-Christmas so he’s on track to be a Horse of the Year contender again, while Wilma Wombat won three last season and was unplaced at her other eight runs.
She was unplaced at Healesville in between her two wins this season.
Finally, it was good to see Rebecca and Debbie Waymouth team up for a win later in the day, Debbie doing the steering for her daughter on easy 6½-length winner Mexican Fiddler in the 0-28 handicap.