A double at Bendigo

A good day at the office at Bendigo on Thursday, the stable bookending the programme by winning the first and final races - Mark Zahra aboard both times.

Having only her second start for us, Stormy Hussey flew home from last to share the prize in the 1300m three-year-old fillies maiden.

We had learned a bit about her since her first up run where she worked forward on rain affected going only to tire. This time, on a firmer track, she was allowed to find her feet early - duly finishing off in strong fashion.

Raced in the lime and royal blue colours of managing part owner Nick Columb, the Arrowfield Stud bred daughter of Hussonet was a $100,000 Magic Millions yearling.

And a well bred one at that, being out of Danehill's South African Oaks winning daughter Stormy Hill - dam of the dual Listed winner Bridal Hill and daughter of the triple Oaks heroine November Rain.

Last weekend's Benalla Cup winner Stormhill, due to contest Sunday's Cranbourne Cup, also hails from this family.

Also putting in a strong late finish to claim victory was Syndrome, impressive winner of the 1300m Class 2 event.

Having his first run since a Sunshine Coast Guineas third in late June, the promising four-year-old appreciated a solid pace and over the final stages was too good for Fields Of Omagh's 3/4 brother Beatus and the highly rated Eight Bills.

"He was really strong late," enthused Mark Zahra, "he had a class edge on them. And he will definitely be improved by that. I think he will step up in some nice races."

Raced by Richard Pegum, Syndrome is a $27,000 NZ Ready To Run Sale graduate by the Danzig stallion Ishiguru from the family of General Nediym's sire Nediym.