Both were ridden by Mark Flaherty, who booted home five winners for the day in a remarkable performance.

Coming back to scale after his fourth, I asked `Sparrow' to raise four fingers, which he was happy to do, but then added "you'll have to get me again when I ride the fifth''.

That came in the final race aboard Haka Brave for Sale trainer Cliff Murray.

"He has been really unlucky at his past two and although he ran last at his last start he ran up the backside of the winner when it looked like he was going to swamp them,'' Murray said.

He also booted home Zellemsee, which had just its second start for fellow Sale trainer Colin Butcher.

His son Geoff explained the horse was purchased at the sales from Sutton Grange just like Hazardous Harmony and Zaccheus, who've both run races for them.

"He is owned by the family and it is good to get that first win with them after you buy them,'' Butcher said.

GIPPSLAND Horse of the Year awards will be held this Friday night at Moe's Turfside Function Centre.

Among presentations on the night will be leading trainer (Robbie Griffiths), leading jockey (Peter Mertens) and leading apprentice jockey (Brenton Avdulla).

Horses vying for Gippsland Horse of the Year are El Pretender (Brenda McPhan), King Hoaks (Allison Bennett), Rockpecker (Ken Fythe) and Scenic Find (Len Xuereb).

Nominees for the best performed Gippsland horse on Gippsland tracks are Scenic Find and El Pretender along with Devon Destroyer (Michael Templeton).