Trainer Aaron Purcell will use a $100,000 open handicap at Warrnambool on May 5 as a stepping stone for Van Roy whose long-term goal is the Mount Gambier Cup later that month.
Van Roy won his third country cup from 12 starts for Purcell when he defeated Test The Law and Any Luck last Sunday at Penola (he has also won the Summer Cup at Mount Gambier and the Vignerons Cup at Penola.
“He hasn’t done much wrong since he came to us,” Purcell said. “I wish I had a stable full of horses like him.
“The 2050 metres of the Mount Gambier Cup is probably about as far as he wants but I’m quietly confident he’ll be able to run it out strongly.”
Snitch shines
Aided by a masterful ride by veteran jockey Brad Rawiller, the Tower Hill-trained galloper Super Snitch scored impressively at Stawell last Sunday.
He defeated It’s All Clear and No Greater over 1600 metres.
The seven-year-old has now won two of his four Stawell starts.
“It was a good win,” trainer Pat McKenna said.
“I was a bit worried by the jump up to 1600 metres (from 1200) but Brad rode him very well.”
Rawiller in turn praised the training performance by McKenna. 
“Pat’s a very underrated trainer,” he said. “I think he does a great job with his horses.” From 37 starts Super Snitch has won six races.
Danzsin joins the squad
Lightly-raced galloper Danzsin is one of several horses trainer Tom Dabernig  hopes  to run at next month’s Warrnambool May racing carnival.
With Linda Meech in the saddle at Stawell last Sunday Danzsin had a length to spare over Buzitup in a $35,000 race over 1300 metres.
Danzsin’s next mission will be a restricted race on the Thursday over the Warrnambool three-dayer.
“We’ve always had a bit of an opinion of this horse, Dabernig said.
“He’s only starting to put it together now. I think he’s up to midweek class in Melbourne but we’re just taking him along slowly.
Dabernig said he expected to have between 10 and 12 horses competing at the Warrnambool carnival.
“It’s always a big event for all the local trainers.”
Vale Henry Brewer
Racing Victoria has acknowledged the passing of highly respected long-serving steward Henry Brewer (last week).
Mr Brewer was a valuable member of Victoria’s stewards team for almost 40 years.
He was a familiar face and popular figure at so many race meetings and trials throughout north-east Victoria with his signature rolled-up sleeves as he administered the rules of racing in a firm but fair manner.
Mr Brewer was also a valued community member within the region of Mudgegonga, where he served on the local council while also looking after the cattle on his farm.