Bendigo trainers Josh Julius and Danny Curran broke through for maiden victories with horses they think have bright futures.
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Julius' mare La Bella Epoque ran up to its good run on Bendigo Cup day by winning a maiden at Benalla on Monday, while the Curran-prepared Sizzling Style produced a last-to-first win at Ararat on Sunday.
Well-backed into favouritism, La Bella Epoque came from midfield to get up right on the finishing post in Monday's Techwool Trading Maiden Plate (1600m).
Julius admitted he questioned whether La Bella Epqoue would run out a strong mile.
"(Jockey) Zac (Spain) seemed to get her in a good spot and she was still tugging a little bit early,'' Julius told racing.com
"He obviously thought she was travelling alright because he peeled her out nice and early which was terrific."
Julius said La Belle Epoque deserved the victory and a spell after a consistent campaign.
"She's been up (for a long time) and only had a little freshen up in between runs this preparation,'' he said.
"She'll certainly head to the paddock on that and we'll reassess for next time."
La Bella Epoque's older half-sister Super Girl will run at Wednesday's Bendigo Jockey Club meeting.
The five-year-old mare is dropping back in class to a benchmark 64 after running a credible eighth in the Jayco Bendigo Cup a fortnight ago.
Julius also has Blue Linen Girl down to run in the opening event at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Sizzling Style repaid the faith showed in her by Curran and her connections with a strong win at Ararat on Sunday.
Highly-rated by the stable, Sizzling Style had a frustrating three-year-old campaign where little went right.
Curran hopes Sunday's win over 1600m will lift the four-year-old's confidence.
"We think she'll make a nice horse, but she lost her way as three-year-old,'' Curran told racing.com
"It's good to see her starting to put it together.
"She's progressing and she might even get out to 2000m yet."
The win at Ararat continued a good run of form for the stable.
Three of Curran's past eight starters have saluted.
One of those winners - Fair Go - is entered for a 1500m event at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
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