Horsham’s Dean Yendall had a day out, winning four of the day’s eight races including the illusive cup.

In a successful start to 2019, Stawell trainers Terry and Karina O’Sullivan took home winners in the second and third races.

Stawell-based jockey Linda Meech rode Lady Dee Dee first across the line in race five.

Hot weather forced Racing Victoria to re-schedule the race day from Friday to Monday, a move Stawell Racing Club president said didn’t alter the outcome of the day.

“The crowd was better than other Monday race days we have hosted,” Mr Nicholson said.

“I think the numbers were contributed to the time of year, support of the Halls Gap community and the children activities which were on offer.”

The Halls Gap Cup was an initiative from the Stawell Racing Club.

“A couple of our committee members were talking about getting holidaymakers and providing a community event for Halls Gap about seven years ago,” he said.

“From those conversations, the idea was born and we have hosted a race ever since.” 

Nicholson said the weather was kind to the meet.

“It was a reasonable day with a bit of breeze which helped with everything and the day went off really well,” he said.

Mr Nicholson’s comments were supported by cup winning jockey, Dean Yendall.

“The whole day just went very well. It was a really good day out,” Yendall said.

Yendall rode four-year-old gelding Indian Thunder to a commanding victory in the headline race, winning by more than three lengths ahead of second-placed Pass the Glass. Indian Thunder is trained by Darren Weir.

Yendall said he was pleased to win the Halls Gap Cup.

“We had a really good run in transit, travelled really well, put him in a good spot and then he just let it rip,” Yendall said of his winning run.

“It was a great race.”

Yendall rode in a total of six races for the day and won four.

His closest win for the day came in race four with four-year-old mare Lope de Field, finishing just 0.2L in front of second-placed Captain Arjento.

“Obviously four winners is an excellent day,” Yendall said. “It was a good effort, I had the support behind me from the trainers in Darren Weir and Dan O’Sullivan. They’ve really supported me.

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