Scoring Up

August 24, 2026

Sunday’s meeting at Ararat may have been staged in Victoria, but there was a distinct South Australian flavour to proceedings, with four winners providing another strong advertisement for the State’s breeding industry.

Trainer Rebecca East, who is based just over the South Australian border, enjoyed an outstanding afternoon with a winning treble — all three pacers being bred and owned by South Australian interests.

The day started in perfect fashion when Gold In Paris captured the opening event.

The pacer is owned by prominent South Australian breeder Peter Medhurst and was bred by Peter and his late wife Lesley Medhurst.

Medhurst’s colours were back in the winner’s circle later in the afternoon when Sporty Rocks took out race six, completing a winning double for the long-time South Australian breeder and owner.

East’s treble was completed by Grinning Beach Boy, another pacer carrying strong South Australian breeding credentials.

Grinning Beach Boy was bred and is owned by South Australian Jack Panagiotou and is by Sunshine Beach from the unraced mare Kiss And Grin.

While Kiss And Grin never raced, there is plenty of performance in the maternal family. Her dam Kiss Me Monty produced six winners, headed by Milliondollar Kiss, who earned $104,865 during her racing career.

But the South Australian assault on Ararat wasn’t finished there.

Exciting Vincent filly Bay La Ville added another victory for the Croweaters, scoring for Adam, Ben and Terry Cormack.

The homebred filly is building an impressive record, with Sunday’s victory her second win from just three starts.

Bay La Ville had signalled her ability immediately, winning on debut at Kilmore, and her latest success suggests there could be plenty more ahead for the lightly raced youngster.

Four winners, including a training treble, made it an afternoon to remember for the South Australian connections.

More importantly, the results again showcased the quality of horses being bred by South Australian breeders.

Whether competing at home or interstate, South Australian-bred horses continue to make their presence felt — once again proving the State punches well above its weight in the breeding barn and on the racetrack.