Andrew Bobbin enjoyed a productive day on his home track last Friday, preparing a winning double at Stawell.
In an excellent training performance, Bobbin’s first winner came in the form of Japanese import Eismond ($4.80), who was on debut in Australia and racing for the first time since August, at 2000 metres. 
The four-year-old mare had a pair of jumpouts to her name leading in and jockey Jack Hill always looked to be travelling sweetly, pinching a gap in the home straight and holding off Aaron Purcell-trained $2.50 favourite Finance Merchant, who surely must break his maiden next time out. 
It was the perfect start to the imported galloper’s Aussie career and she’s worth following to benchmark grade next start.
Bobbin then turned to a stable veteran for his second winner, his seven-year-old gelding Jet Jitsu ($5.50) returning to form with a strong finish in the 1600-metre benchmark 56 event. 
The son of Ajaya had been struggling to find his best this preparation and his trainer took the unusual approach of sending him around in a Hamilton hurdle trial in a bid to switch him on. 
While I doubt we’ll see Jet Jitsu feature in jumps action any time soon, the move paid dividends as he relished the drop in grade to win comfortably from back in the field.
Two to follow
Donald was the beneficiary of a transferred meeting last week and the action produced a pair of runners that must be followed. 
Trouble’n Paradise, for Team Hayes, was a game runner-up behind Barryfrom Brunzwik in the 1200-metre maiden, held up at a crucial stage and beaten a narrow margin on the line. 
The gelded son of Hellbent was a solid placegetter at Ararat the start prior (winner/runner-up have since run well) and you would think he can break through wherever we see him next.
The other black-booker is Rob Hickmott’s three-year-old Camelot Time, who stormed home down the middle of the track from near last on the bend for a narrow second to Boggy Creek Boys. 
Boggy Creek Boys came through a very strong form race at Warrnambool and looked all over the winner halfway down the straight, before Hickmott’s debutant motored late to force the photo judge into action. 
You’ll do well to follow this son of Russian Camelot this weekend as he returns at Werribee, Seymour or Horsham.