Ararat’s February 8 meeting continues to prove to be a lucrative form reference for those who follow the Wimmera scene. 
Archie Alexander’s four-year-old Pick Wisely was the eye-catching performance on the day, making many lengths from a hopeless position to claim second in the 1300-metre maiden. 
Stepping beyond 1450 metres next time out, the gelding broke through at Kyneton, running down the Nikki Burke-trained Titan’s Spirit in the final bounds. 
Titan’s Spirit went on to win its next start at Pakenham, easily accounting for odds-on favourite Cavalry, who had to settle for second. One thinks we should follow that Team Hawkes runner next start.
Henry Dwyer’s promising filly Zuleika won her maiden in style at Ararat before finishing runner-up to Kazaru in the listed Tasmanian Oaks. 
Zuleika returned to the mainland with a big win at Mount Gambier last weekend and looks every bit a progressive filly worth following.
King Alla, a runner-up at Ararat, followed up with a win at Kilmore just five days later. The Ann Tindale-trained five-year-old  drifted back from a wide gate out of the 1600-metre chute at Ararat, making good ground late, before settling closer at Kilmore and getting the job done there.
One of the best
The Horsham racing community lost one of its very best recently, with the passing of long-time supporter and life member Jim Lonsdale. 
Jimmy was a well loved and respected contributor to racing for many years, whose passion and kindness will be missed beyond racing circles. 
Vale, Jim.