Former New Zealand horseman Kyle Marshall added his name to the honour roll of winners of The Downtowner Warragul Pacing Cup after Can Be A Ruebe won the $17,500 feature at Logan Park on Monday afternoon.
It was the second leg of a consecutive race double for the talented horseman, who also trained and drove Ata Rangi to win the Ken Miller Memorial Pace.
Marshall, who relocated to Balliang last year after a successful stint preparing horses from Cranbourne Racecourse, bought Can Be A Ruebe into the event early from the second row of the mobile barrier, in a competitive race.
Driven with confidence, and well backed by punters, Can Be A Ruebe appreciated a solid tempo, and despite facing a pretty tough run throughout the four-year-old mare kicked on hard to win, her fourth victory from only 11 race starts.
Can Be A Ruebe won a qualifying heat of the Warragul Cup at Cranbourne on June 1, and her trainer/driver was confident of a forward showing in the Final.
"She pulled up super after the Cranbourne run and was well conditioned for this race," Marshall said.
"She's a nice, progressive mare actually. She's taken the next step, and I think she'll make a nice metro horse."
Marshall paid tribute to his partner Sophie and his stable staff who assist with working a team of 10 racehorses.
"We're just a happy team. These horses are in the right grade, and moving forward eventually they should end up in the higher grade."
Earlier on the traditional Eddie Evison Memorial Trotters Cup was won by another four-year-old mare, Pinnie, for husband and wife team Andy and Kate Gath.
Like the Pacing Cup winner, Pinnie raced outside the leader throughout, having received a 20 metre handicap for the start of the race.
Well rated by Kate Gath, Pinnie loomed to leader Johns Boy in the home straight, and in a close finish stuck her neck out to score.
Kate praised the Warragul circuit after her victory, noting how it often produces fast race times despite its size, and that runners can still make ground from off the pace if races are run at a fast tempo.
"I love this track, I think it's the best 800 metre track in the state," Gath declared.
"I love coming here (to Warragul), as we get so well looked after here."
Cranbourne pacer Groom turned in a solid performance to lead throughout in the Rod Demmler Memorial Pace on Monday afternoon for trainer Rob Olsen.
Visiting trainer Ken Tippet, who has enjoyed a great deal of success at Warragul over many years, trained Ileana to win the Warragul Life Members Trophy event.
The Des and Moira Kelly Memorial trotters race was won by Exasperation, driven by former local Craig Demmler for trainer Jess Tubbs.
Racing on Monday concluded with the Warragul Pacing Cup consolation won by Isolation, driven by Alex Ashwood for trainer Patrick Tomkinson.
Logan Park's clubroom was packed to capacity on Monday for racing, with punters watching racing run under bright sunshine and occasional showers of rain.
An added highlight on Monday was the honouring of long standing Warragul harness committee member Barry Field with life membership of the club.