Preusker's partner, talented jockey Holly McKechnie did all the early preparation work with Surprise Baby as a young horse before terrible injuries put her career on hold.

McKechnie broke bones in her left foot in a mishap on the way to the barriers at Penshurst in 2017. Her bad luck continued in 2018 when an unraced three-year-old stood on her right foot which has resulted in smashed bones in her foot. She has not ridden in a race for nearly two years.

"I really feel sorry for Holly," Preusker said. "She did a lot of the early track work with Surprise Baby. I've got no doubt she would have been in the mix to ride Surprise Baby in this year's Melbourne Cup and during his career but the injuries to both her feet have meant she hasn't ridden for two years. She has missed so much.

"The stable is going really well and a lot of our success is due to the hard work Holly has put in. Holly is really struggling with her injuries. It's terrible to see such a young person hobbling around each day.

"We're not sure if she will ride again. It's fair to say there's a big cloud over her riding career.

"We're all really excited about Surprise Baby going into the Melbourne Cup but I often wonder what may have been if Holly was fit to ride the horse."

From his ten starts Surprise Baby has won five races. He won the Adelaide Cup which is run over the 3200 metres of the Melbourne Cup earlier this year. Surprise Baby is equal favourite with Finche at odds of $9 to win the race that stops a nation.

RESPECTED Warrnambool trainer Merv McKenzie got a pleasant surprise when Big Reel was successful in a $40,000 restricted race over 1100 metres at Hamilton on Saturday.

Big Reel ran his rivals ragged winning the race by more then a length over Akkadian and Shotgun Rosie. The eight-year-old, who paid more then $15 for a win registered his eighth win from 33 starts.

"I must admit I got a bit of a surprise with the win," McKenzie said.

"It was his second run from a break. I thought he might need the run.

"Big Reel was free-wheeling coming down the hill and around the corner. I was not sure he would hold on but he was just too strong."

The former jockey said Big Reel was a problem track-worker.

"We can't gallop him on the training track," McKenzie said. "We just swim him and pop him over a few jumps. I've got to give credit to my stable staff who have done a great job with him.

"His Hamilton win means he's got a start in a $150,000 race over 1100 metres on the last day of the Flemington carnival which is great result for his owners."

Big Reel took his stake earnings to $190,000 from 33 starts with the Hamilton victory.

IMPRESSIVE Hamilton maiden winner on Saturday, Glassey Miss will be the link that keeps a large group of old mates together, according to her trainer Symon Wilde.

Glassey Miss came with a strong run down the middle of the track to defeat Glenferrie Girl and Undoubtedly So in the 1100 metre race and Wilde believes more wins are in store for the three-year-old filly.

"It was a nice win by Glassey Miss," Wilde said.after her debut victory. "I think she's got a bit of ability. We may turn her out now and bring her back for some nice races in the autumn. I've always had a bit of an opinion of her. A lot of my old footy teammates, old school friends and old house mates are in Glassey Miss.

"The win is a great result for them as we drift apart because of everyday things but she'll be the glue that keeps all my mates together.

"They have all been messaging each other for the last few weeks about Glassey Miss. We had a lot of excited owners after she won but I had to tell them you don't win every time you go to the races."

Glassey Miss was an $18,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sales and picked up $12,600 for her maiden win.

JOCKEY Neil Farley pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge following his ride on Lamington Drive at Hamilton on Saturday. Stewards found that near the 1300m Farley permitted Lamington Drive to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Twinspier which was checked and lost its rightful running. Farley's suspension commences at midnight on October 14 and ends at midnight on October 23. Stewards deemed the incident to be in the mid-range and took into account his good record.

Meanwhile, apprentice jockey Alana Kelly pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge on Oscar The Grouch at Manangatang on Saturday. Her suspension commenced at midnight on October 12 and expires at midnight on October 21.

Jockey Chelsea MacFarlane pleaded guilty to a charge that she failed to ride Peddler out over the final five strides of the race at Manangatang.

MacFarlane's suspension began at midnight on October 13 and ends midnight October 20.

Stewards took into account her guilty plea and record, however in the opinion of the stewards her actions had cost her mount third placing.