It’s deep-breath time in the Wimmera as the racing momentarily halts following a huge festive period. 
Boxing Day’s Nhill Cup program again proved to be a highlight, Horsham’s Paul Preusker taking out the 1650-metre feature with his seven-year-old Sirius Black ($4.40) in an entertaining affair. 
Jockey Harry Grace sat just off race leader Baby Rider ($12) for most of the event, before Liberty Rae ($6) moved up three-wide at the 600-metre mark, signalling the race was on in earnest. 
Sirius Black fought them both off and held out a late challenge from the Andrew Bobbin-trained Buillt ($5.50) to claim the prize, less than half a second outside track-record time. 
It was a tough performance from Presuker’s winner, who was racing for the first time since an inconspicuous effort at Moonee Valley in October, but had been runner-up in the Murtoa Cup the start prior. 
As for Bobbin’s runner-up, he can be followed into this Saturday’s Camperdown Cup with some confidence.
Yendall on a roll
Veteran hoop Dean Yendall is showing he’s still a force to be reckoned with, enjoying a hot run of form across the state in recent weeks. 
The Horsham-based jockey had bagged 11 winners from his last 36 rides (to Wednesday) at an eye-watering 31-per cent strike rate. 
Yendall began his winning run with a treble at Horsham just before Christmas — the first three races on the card, no less — and has added winners at Warrnambool, Terang, Stawell, Colac and Flemington since. 
Tayla breaks through
Staying with jockeys, apprentice Tayla Cameron claimed her first career winner at Stawell aboard Matt Cumani’s Montjeuify ($14) in the 1300-metre Halls Gap Cup. 
The young hoop made an early move after a slow getaway and kept her galloper rolling into the home straight, willing her mount to the line to win by a nose in a thrilling finish. 
Here’s to many more, Tayla.
Bobbin up, often
Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin has hit the ground running since Christmas, preparing six winners and seven placegetters from his past 29 starters. 
Showing no signs of a festive hangover, the Grampians Racing boss collected winning doubles at Nhill and Burrumbeet to go with his victors at Terang and Colac in a proper purple patch of form. 
With runners at Penola and Camperdown this weekend, that tally is set to keep rising.