MOE trainer Peter Gelagotis took a one-win lead in the Gippsland trainers' premiership when Savquaw won at last week's Sale metropolitan meeting (transferred from Sandown).
It was the Moe trainer's fourth city winner of the season, a first for the stable. Its previous best seasons for metro winners were three in each of 2004-5 and 2007-8.
On the local premiership table, it is two Moe trainers in the running with Gelagotis leading Allison Bennett, who has also had an outstanding year, by one winner.
"Last start he choked down and you just had to forget he even went around. His previous run here was super and he threw the race away by running in,'' Gelagotis said.
"He had a one eye blinker today and with the Olly (Damien Oliver) factor it certainly made a difference.
"I think the horse is definitely Saturday metro class so we will now look for a suitable race in the 1600-1800 metre bracket.''
Savquaw is entered for Sandown Hillside tomorrow.
JUST Like Sal would have to be in the running for the best performed horse on Gippsland tracks at this year's Gippsland Horse of the Year Awards.
The five-year-old mare, trained by Traralgon-based Allan Douch, was an impressive winner at Moe on Saturday, her fourth in Gippsland for the season.
Although she won just one of her first 22 starts, she now has five wins from 31 outings, making her one of the most improved horses in the region.
In a good advertisement for the ratings based handicapping system, her four wins this season have all been in the 0-68 bracket, something that would not have been possible under the old class scheme.
THERE'S often some interesting reading in stewards reports.
At Moe on Saturday, jockey Aaron Austin was fined $200 for "directing foul language at another jockey passing the winning post''.
Interestingly, the report also noted that Austin's mount Hear Me Talkin was checked when tightened for room and as a result Ben Knobel was reprimanded and notified he must endeavor to keep his mounts straight in the future.
This was tame compared to the 2006 Bairnsdale Cup fisti-cuffs between Danny Adam and Michael Guthrie.
STONY Creek Racing Club chairman Paul Boag said his club was thrilled to have the opportunity to pick up an additional race meeting last Tuesday.
"Given the amount of rain received around the state last week, we were delighted with the way the track held up,'' he said.
"I had one comment from an experienced rider who quipped `if that is a heavy ten, some of the others are heavy 15', so I think that is vote of confidence in our track.
"Given we have shown we can produce an excellent winter racing surface, hopefully the industry will now consider our club as an alternate venue should similar situations arise. As we are a training venue, our track is almost always race ready year round.''
BAIRNSDALE-trained mare Afterburn looked unlucky not to win the final event at Caulfield on Saturday, the open 1400 metre handicap.
She was held up and unable to obtain clear running until nearing the 200m mark and it appeared to cost her a likely victory.
Afterburn's past six starts have been in town and resulted in five top five finishes without a win. She deserves some reward for her ultra consistent efforts.
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