A total of six ferrets competed and the event provided great fun and excitement for participants and the crowd of spectators gathered on the lawn.

Entrants came from Stawell, Campbells Bridge, Granard Park, Maroona and Cranbourne. Cranbourne is a long way to come for a ferret race.

Loren O'Toole and Joshua O'Flaherty happened to be on holiday in Halls Gap, with their pet ferret Weasel, when they read the Stawell Times News article about the 2014 Ferret Cup being held at the Stawell Show. They knew it was their destiny to take part.

Three heats of two ferrets raced against the clock through lengths of PVC pipe resting on bales of straw.

The first heat saw Gemma Senior's Zipper beat Yasmin Barwick's Rajah by just two seconds. Both ferrets emerged to a great round of applause from the crowd and the time to beat was 57 seconds.

Stablemates went head to head in heat two and Arlee Seehusen's Milo shot to the overall lead with a time of 53 seconds. Etira Seehusen's Diamonds found trouble or had a change of heart mid-pipe and somehow managed to turn around and scoot back to the start line. Disqualification was unavoidable for Diamonds.

In the final heat Weasel from Cranbourne met Steve Ryan's Molly from Maroona.

Molly made a fine start, but all eyes stayed on Loren as she struggled to get Weasel into the pipe. Weasel was having none of it, it was dark in that pipe and she had no intention of entering the unknown.

Joshua called encouragement from the finish line and eventually, amid much laughter from onlookers and all involved, ran back to offer assistance.

Joshua managed to get Weasel underway, but he only just managed to beat her to the finish line because Weasel flew. Weasel not only beat Molly but she beat the entire field in a record time of 44 seconds.

Molly finished in the leisurely time of one minute, 16 seconds.

The crowd erupted into applause when placings were announced. Prizes, ribbons and the Pykes Pets & Cycles 2014 Trophy Cup were handed out.

The special prize for the Friendliest Ferret was awarded to Molly from Maroona, who had exhibited impeccable manners when receiving many pats prior to the event.

Loren and Joshua had a fantastic time at the Stawell Show and can't wait to come back next year. They'll travel all the way from Cranbourne to defend their title with Weasel.

It looks like Weasel will be facing some stiff competition though, because word is that the Stawell district ferrets have already commenced specialised training.

Next year's Ferret Cup promises to be a beauty. Details of how to enter will be made available prior to next year's Stawell Show.