Moe trainer, Peter Gelagotis is well on the way to a second consecutive Gippsland trainers’ premiership after he prepared Floramour to win the 0-72 showcase win at Ballarat on Thursday.

It was his eleventh success this year, with that tally amazingly coming from nine separate horses – a great effort from a stable that has only 15 on the books (not including the unraced brigade) at present.

The good news from Floramour’s victory is that it was probably the most impressive Gelagotis winner of the season to date.

Having just her second run for the stable, the four year-old mare produced a finishing burst that had to be seen to be believed as she gave the rest of the showcase field windburn over the final furlong.

“Her first up run at Mornington when she finished third was very good and I could not believe her price ($23) at Ballarat. She was 12/1 in the paper that morning and I thought she would probably start about 8/1,” said Gelagotis.

“I really thought she was a great each way chance and told the connections that. She had knocked up over the final stages of the race at Mornington and derived plenty of benefit from the run. I nearly fell over when they told me what she had paid.

“We’ll freshen her a little bit now and see what is around. I hadn’t looked any further than this run.

“Most of her career runs have been over 1000 metres, but judging by the way she raced and won, I certainly think she will get further and at least run a strong 1200,” he said.

TEMPEST SALUTES

Another Moe trainer, Len Xuereb, produced Tempest Bay to win at Pakenham Friday and she had a few similarities to Floramour in that she was having her second run for a new stable and was long odds ($33).

“She was previously trained at Cranbourne and hadn’t really put it together, so the owner wanted to give her one more try from a country environment and fortunately I was able to get her,” Xuereb said.

“Despite being a six year-old she’s only had five runs as she had a leg injury at one stage and has been a very nervous mare.

“At her first run at Moe I thought she ran home well. She was well beaten, but found the line nicely and then improved at Pakenham.

“She has got a bit of improvement in her and hopefully, now that she seems more relaxed, she can go on with the job and string a few good runs together.

“Her next outing will more than likely be back at Moe this Sunday,” he said.

SPRINTING DEPTH

There appears plenty of depth in Gippsland sprinting ranks at present if Sunday’s $80,000 Sale Quality, the region’s premier short course race, is any indication.

It was taken out by Group Two winner and three times Group One placed gelding Stanzout, prepared at Cranbourne by Colin Davies, however chasing him home were a group of Gippslanders.

Lightly raced Miss Matari (Kevin Milham) finished second, while Emjay Hussey (Ian Hutchins) fourth, Prospect (Tracey Templeton) fifth and Lazari (Paul Worthington) sixth all ran well. Miss Matari in particular looks to have a very bright future.

Not forgetting last year’s Gippsland Horse of the Year winner, Rockpecker is soon to return, Listed winner King Hoaks is recovering from injury and speedy mare Afterburn should also be back before becoming a valuable brood mare.

NICE DEBUT

The half sister of three time Gippsland Horse of the Year winner, Tesbury Jack, debuted at Sale on Sunday. Charlottes Mint ran a terrific race in finishing second.

Her strong family ties were obviously not picked up by punters as she went around at almost 20/1 in the six horse field and was beaten just a half neck. She is also a half sister to five timer winner, Regal Reward.