STAWELL - Stawell trainers Terry and Karina O'Sullivan have hit a purple patch with three of their horses winning well over the past week.
It began at Ballarat last Friday, with jockey Linda Meech piloting King of Africa to win the 1400 metre Sportsbet.com.au Top Tote Plus Showcase Handicap.
Terry O'Sullivan was thrilled with the gelding's second career win.
"It was good, he had give in the ground and ran good at Pakenham last start. He came back pretty well.
"We're pleased with him. He had the run of the race, he sat behind the leaders and got to the line pretty good."
When interviewed after the race Ms Meech said having blinkers on made a difference and O'Sullivan agreed, saying the horse tended to look around when racing.
King of Africa will head back to Ballarat in a couple of weeks to contest a 1600 metre race.
The next winner for O'Sullivans came on Sunday at Bendigo, with four year old Sky Flyte taking out the 2400 metre PH Property SV Showcase Handicap.
Sky Flyte was sitting at the back of the field on the home turn before jockey Dean Yendall let her go and she stormed to the line to win by half a length in front of King Triton.
Terry O'Sullivan praised the mare's performance.
"We were very pleased, she ran really strongly over the 2400," he said.
The race was a heat of staying horses and the $80,000 final will be run on Saturday, March 16 at Bendigo and O'Sullivan expects Sky Flyte to run well.
The mare has now had two appearances at Bendigo, placing first and second.
"She obviously goes well at the track," O'Sullivan said.
"We're pretty keen to get back there."
Terry and Karina O'Sullivan's success continued on Monday.
Locally owned gelding Viva Delspec returned to the winner's list after saluting in the 3215 metre Callaghan Motors Hurdle at Warrnambool.
He was sitting towards the back of the field and was impressive in the run home, finishing strongly to win by three and half lengths.
It is not the first time Viva Delspec has ventured into jumps racing, winning a hurdle race at Bendigo in May last year.
The six year old has been in good form, finishing second in a hurdles trial early last month before running third in a flat race at Ballarat.
"He won really well," Terry O'Sullivan said of the six year old's performance at Warrnambool.
"He jumped particularly well and ran home really strong.
Viva Delspec endured a tough race at Ballarat, where there was no pace and he finished third in a sprint to the finish.
"He did well to run third so all in all he's coming up really well," O'Sullivan said.
Viva Delspec will feature in a hurdle race at Sandown on Wednesday, March 20.
O'Sullivan was pleased with stablemate Scenic Buzz who finished second in a maiden hurdle at Warrnambool.
