Fourfires on the inside goes to the line a winner at Stawell on December 15. The three year old continued his good form with a win at Warrnambool last Sunday.
STAWELL - Stawell trainers Terry and Karina O'Sullivan have kicked off the year in style with It's a Laugh finally breaking his maiden at Murtoa on Tuesday.
Returning from a year long spell and with jockey Linda Meech on board, It's a Laugh notched up his first win in 11 starts.
The five year old did it easily, storming to the finish line to win by two lengths in front of Draw Down.
It had been a long time coming for It's a Laugh, after he jarred up badly on the Ararat track over a year ago.
"He's had a long break. We thought he had a wind problem so he went to the paddock. We then put him back to work and now he's won a race," trainer Terry O'Sullivan said.
"We're hoping he's over that (jarring) now. We just have to find tracks with a bit of give in the ground."
Jockey Linda Meech has had a stellar run with O'Sullivan's horses of late, riding five winners in just three weeks.
"Linda's a good rider, there's no doubt about it. She keeps riding winners and we're very happy with her," O'Sullivan said.
The new year has started as 2012 ended, with O'Sullivans enjoying a winning double on Sunday.
Fourfires continued his good form after saluting at Stawell three weeks ago, again teaming up with Meech for a win at Warrnambool while stablemate Magnapal broke his maiden at Ballarat the same day.
Terry O'Sullivan was thrilled with Fourfires' performance, with the three year old getting a 'lovely run' up on the inside to win the 1400 metre Boolbet On Course Bookmaker Handicap by almost a length in front of Bill and Symon Wilde-trained Comic Ruler.
"Fourfires ran really well. He was well ridden and drew a good barrier," O'Sullivan said.
"He'll now go to Sandown on the ninth of January."
Magnapal found some form with jockey Nikita McLean piloting him to victory in the 1400 metre City of Ballarat Maiden Plate.
The three year old was sitting at the back of the field before running on strongly to win by half a length in front of punter's elect Sky Host.
O'Sullivan said he thought Magnapal had run a 'fair race' at Stawell where he finished seventh, a couple of lengths behind Fourfires.
Magnapal will now head to Flemington on January 18 and O'Sullivan is hopeful the gelding can follow up with another win.
* Whiskey Cruyff's run of good form has continued for Stawell trainer David Noonan.
The nine year old gelding followed up his win at Mildura early last month with victory at Kerang on Boxing Day, followed by a second placing at Terang on New Year's Day.
Noonan was thrilled with the win at Kerang with Whiskey Cruyff proving the punter's correct, striding home to win the 1800 metre Molin Motorcycle & Marine Handicap by three lengths.
Meanwhile, Whiskey Cruyff nearly made it three wins from three starts on Tuesday at Terang in the 1850 metre Terang Co-Op Handicap.
Sitting at the back of the field on the home turn, the gelding battled hard but was pipped at the post by Patrick Payne-trained Rich Faith.