Ferret racing was reintroduced to the Stawell Show last year and the trophy cup was taken all the way home to Cranbourne by Loren O’Toole and her ferret Weasel.

Loren enjoyed the day so much that she’s coming back again this year to defend her title. Loren will also have a second runner, Aubrey, a ferret that she recently adopted from Unwanted Fuzz, a Ballarat-based ferret rescue group.

Loren will face some stiff competition from local ferrets.

Twelve-year-old Gemma Senior and her ferret Zipper ran third in last year’s cup and Gemma has been doing some serious training in preparation for this year.

Apart from her love of ballet and field and game shooting, Gemma loves her three ferrets Zipper, Barney and Ghost and plays with them whenever she gets a chance.  

Zipper was welcomed into the Senior home after being found in someone’s chook shed a few years ago.

Barney is from over St Arnaud way and Ghost joined the clan in January.

Organisers are hoping to see lots of ferrets ready to race on Saturday. There are plenty of prizes, as well as the cup to be won.

Racing is scheduled to take place at approximately 2.30pm. Ferrets can be housed in the animal nursery before and after the event.