Third-generation Warrnambool trainer Harry Lafferty had to travel more than four hours to get his first winner but it was well worth the trip.
Baltic Way, ridden by Liam Riordan, hung on to defeat Boyszee in 0-56 grade over 1968 metres at Yarra Valley last Saturday to break the ice for Lafferty, who’s only had his licence since November. 
“It’s a huge thrill,” he said. 
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my dad Peter and the rest of my family. They’ve all offered me wonderful support. 
“I’ve also got to thank Baltic Way’s owners — they’ve been really patient. 
“It was a great ride by Liam. There was no need to give him any instructions. He’s a very good jockey.”
Lafferty, grandson of legendary Warrnambool trainer Kevin Lafferty, said the long drive was worth every minute.
“It’s a long way to Yarra Glen but it was the only suitable race for him,” he said. “It seemed a long way going there but a lot less coming home. 
“Baltic Way is an out-and-out stayer. I might run him at Warrnambool (March 9) but I’ll monitor his progress this week.” 
Baltic Way was Lafferty’s fourth starter.
Small steps
Braidon Small made a successful return to race riding in two highweight races at Terang last Friday, following months on the sidelines.
The Warrnambool-based jumps jockey injured his right knee in a race fall at Casterton on June 29 last year. He has been working hard to prepare for the coming jumps season.
“My knee was pretty badly smashed up,” he said. 
“It’s great to get the two rides behind me. I wasn’t able to ride trackwork for a fair while as my knee was pretty bad. I’ve done a lot of rehab to get it right again. 
“The other issue I had was my weight went out to more than 80 kilos, but I’ve got it down now to 68. I’ve put a lot of work in at the gym and it’s really paid dividends.”
Small has been schooling jumpers for local trainers Aaron Purcell and Simon Ryan in the lead-up to the 2026 jumps season, which starts in March.
End of an era
Group 1-winning trainer Daniel Bowman has left his stables at Wangoom, 11km inland from Warrnambool, as part of a downsizing process.
Bowman will have three to four horses in work at the stables of fellow trainer Matthew Williams.
“It’s a sad time because we’ve had a fair few winners from the stables including Begood Toya Mother (2019 Rupert Clarke Stakes). 
“The property holds a lot of memories for my wife Denita and our children but we made the decision to downsize and we’re comfortable with that.”
Arcandam was Bowman’s last runner from his Wangoom stables, running fifth in an 1100-metre benchmark 78 at Caulfield last Saturday. Bowman was happy with the run.
“He bungled the start, which didn’t help,” he said. 
“We’ll just take him along slowly and try and find another suitable race for him.”
Arcandam has won three of his six starts.
Big smoke beckons
Promising Warrnambool galloper Oliveanotherday may be heading to town after an easy win at Ballarat last Sunday.
The lightly raced three-year-old, ridden by Damian Lane, started a $1.95 favourite resuming in the 1200-metre benchmark 70 and beat Foxenberg by 4¾ lengths.
“It was like a barrier trial for him,” trainer Tom Dabernig said. 
“I suppose we’ve got to lift the bar with him again. We might look at a city race. 
“We’ve always known he had ability and I think there’s more improvement in him.”
Oliveanotherday has had four starts for two wins, an unlucky debut second and a fourth at The Valley.