Linda Meech again proved last Saturday why she’s one of country racing’s best jockeys, bookending the card with a winning double at Edenhope. 
The star hoop started the day with a typically positive ride aboard $2.05 favourite Ransom Royale in the 1850-metre maiden, stalking the leader before taking over on the home bend. 
The Andrew Bobbin-trained three-year-old careered away in the home straight, breaking through comfortably at start number four. 
The gelded son of Castelvecchio had been sound the start prior at Horsham, and the addition of Meech proved the key to graduating from maiden grade.
Fast-forward to the final event and the leading jock was shooting for back-to-back Edenhope Cups with trainer Symon Wilde, this time teaming up with six-year-old gelding Khor, who started $2.50 favourite after strong market support.
Meech sat midfield in the early stages of the 2000-metre feature, moving up to race leader Flying Basil ($7) at the 400-metre mark and striking the front soon after. The race was something of a procession thereafter, Khor breaking away to a cup-winning lead and scoring easily by 3½ lengths on the line. 
The Savabeel gelding was an unlucky runner in the Colac Cup a month earlier, and his connections could be forgiven for thinking their six-year-old could return to metropolitan company later in his preparation.
Meech and Wilde combined to win the 2025 Edenhope Cup with Precious Charm.
Follow that ’Bubbly
Not to be outdone, Jack Hill also secured a riding double at Edenhope, guiding speedy galloper Popthebubbly ($3.90) to victory in the 1200-metre maiden for Ballarat trainer Brady Cross, before teaming with SA visitor Trevor White to get the result aboard Sethacchio ($11) in the 1450-metre 0-56 handicap. 
Cross’s filly is one to follow from the meeting, the addition of blinkers and a tongue tie proving helpful for a galloper who can, on occasion, overthink the situation.