More interstate raids on the cards

VICTORIANS haven't seen the last of rising star mare Rockin Gemma.

Making the trip across the border for yesterday's St Arnaud Cup, Rockin Gemma provided Mount Gambier-based trainer Matthew Horsnell with consecutive victories in the provincial feature, having captured last season's edition with Dhaulagiri.

Dhaulagiri followed his win with six more Cup victories between South Australia and Victoria, while also finishing second in another two.

"The St Arnaud Club does a good job with their Cup meeting and it's a day I like to support," Horsnell said. "Dhaulagiri was runner-up in 2025, was then too good last year and now to have Rockin Gemma win is a terrific result.

"All things being equal, I'll be back for next year's Cup and beyond."

As for Rockin Gemma, the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven is set to follow a similar path established by Dhaulagiri as Horsnell takes aim at the various country Cups in his home state and Victoria.

"I will be keeping a close eye on the Cups and picking out the suitable ones for her," Horsnell said. "We had a fair bit of success doing that with Dhaulagiri and hopefully she can go just as well.

"There are plenty of good options between the two states, so I'll assess each one as it comes along."

Driven by Hannah Lewis, Rockin Gemma rated 1:57.3 over 2150 metres to account for Zenario and To The Nines.

Owned by Liam Mason, the five-year-old took her record to five wins and four placings from 15 starts this season.

Earlier on the card the lethal combination of Brent Lilley and Tristan Larsen secured their 10th Trotters' Cup during the past 12 months thanks to Kennywould.

Trained by Lilley and driven by Larsen, Kennywould led throughout from barrier two to score by a metre-and-a-half from I Dream Of Millie, with Maximez 15-and-a-half metres away third.

Bred and owned by Martin Herbert, Kennywould rated 2:05.9 for the 2520-metre handicap.