First-season Warrnambool jumper Ferago has raced into contention for the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle with his impressive victory at Casterton last Sunday.
With Warrnambool jumps jockey Daniel Small in the saddle, Ferago ($1.60 favourite) defeated Golden Crusader by four lengths in the $35,000 Davis Blinds BM115 Hurdle (3500m).
The $250,000 Grand National Hurdle will be run at Sandown on Sunday August 2.
Ferago has won three of his four hurdle starts and trainer Patrick Ryan believes there is more improvement in the nine-year-old. 
Ryan is likely to run the nine-year-old in another benchmark 115 hurdle at Coleraine on Sunday week, July 19, as a lead-in to the Grand National.
Small, the brother of 2026 Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning jockey Braidon Small, has flown under the radar, according to Ryan.
“Daniel just hasn’t had the opportunities until Ferago,” he said. 
“He’s been very underrated. We’re all getting the chance to see how good he is now he’s riding a good horse. 
“He’s a very hard-working jockey who’s one of the first to trackwork at Warrnambool each morning. 
“Daniel deserves his chances and I hope more owners and trainers give him the opportunities.”
Blaze bags Banjo
Warrnambool trainer Shane Jackson had his first Flemington winner last Saturday when tough, versatile stayer/jumper Highland Blaze took the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final under Tom Madden. 
“It’s a big thrill,” Jackson said. 
“Highland Blaze has been a wonderful horse for our stable, winning the 2025 Grand National Hurdle and now presenting us with our first Flemington win. The result is also great for Tom as he’s played a major part in our stable.”
Highland Blaze may have his next start in the $150,000 Deane Lester Flemington Cup on Saturday week, July 18, before being set for another crack in the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on Sunday August 2.
Last Saturday’s win took Highland Blaze’s earnings to $661,490 from 46 starts.
Double and out
Apprentice Jade Smith took the riding honours at Casterton last Sunday, winning two of the four races for flat jockeys, but her day was soured by an eight-meeting suspension for careless riding. 
Smith’s winners were Dubai Dancer ($4.60 equal favourite) for Tom Dabernig in a 1400-metre benchmark 62 and and Shamex ($4.60) for Paul Preusker in a 2000-metre benchmark 62. 
’Bool boost
Warrnambool Racing Club is one of six Victorian country clubs that will offer increased prizemoney for Friday race meetings in the 2026-27 racing season. 
Warrnambool has been classified as a “premium” track, with higher prizemoney minimums at all meetings except those on Saturdays. 
Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sale and Seymour are the other premium country tracks. 
Between them the sextet host half of the Friday afternoon meetings scheduled in Victoria for 2026-27.