The Hayes brothers have taken out this year’s Horsham Cup, with The Pendragon ($3.50) proving a class above in last Sunday’s 2100-metre feature. 
Harry Coffey gave the six-year-old a lovely steer from the outset, using barrier three to find the back of heavily backed favourite Aftermath ($2.90), who led the field into the home straight. 
The Paul Preusker-trained galloper was no match in the final stages, battling on gamely as Coffey went gliding past to claim victory by more than a length. Aftermath held on to second spot, while Male Model caught the eye with a fast-finishing third. 
It was all honours the winner though — The Pendragon loomed up turning for home and looked to have a bit in hand on the line. Sunday’s win was a fourth from 18 starts for the US Navy Flag gelding, who ran well behind Ten Commandments the start prior in the Ballarat Gold Nugget.
Meech pleases punters
Linda Meech took the riding honours at Horsham, recording a winning treble to go with a runner-up finish in the cup. 
The veteran started the day brightly with a narrow win aboard the Andrew Bobbin-trained Little Ally Bama ($2.50) in the 2100-metre maiden, before a far more comfortable win in the 1100-metre maiden on another favourite, Tom Dabernig’s Warrnambool visitor Strength Within ($2.45). 
Meech teamed with Dabernig again to complete her popular treble, punching out Bazzar ($2.30) in the closing stages to take out the 1100-metre benchmark 62.
Rails run a ripper
Liam Howley can look towards Oaks day after his mare Naraghi ($26) claimed an upset win in the 1400-metre Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series heat at Horsham. 
The four-year-old Hello Youmzain mare found the back of leader and eventual runner-up Endless Summer ($5.50) then travelled sweetly throughout, just needing room to chase in the straight. 
Jockey Alana Kelly — who teamed with Howley for a winning double on the day — shifted back to the inside and overhauled Andrew Bobbin’s galloper, claiming a narrow margin on the line and flooring quaddie punters. 
Both Naraghi and Endless Summer can set their sights on the $500,000 series final at Flemington on Thursday week.
Read ’n’ win
Readers of this column have cashed in again with a pair of winners identified from recent jumpouts, starting with Murtoa heat winner Cavalry Girl ($3) proving far too good in the Group 2 Henley Homes Sprint at Caulfield last Saturday. 
Craig Williams took the Tom Dabernig-trained mare straight to the front and never looked in danger of defeat. 
Fast-forward to Tuesday at Kyneton, where Lim’s Ida ($9) nailed his first Aussie win in benchmark 56 company for Neil Dyer. The ex-Singapore galloper looked good in a recent Donald hitout and broke through second up over 1400 metres at his new home track.
Saint’s alive
Country cups action stays in the Wimmera this weekend, with St Arnaud hosting its feature meeting alongside the supporting Cox Plate program at Flemington.