Five of the nine races were won by either present day or past apprentices indentured to Nestor. Jake Pracey-Holmes who is going great for the Nestor stable produced excellent rail-hugging rides to come from back in the field to win on Snugasabuginarug (10.00) and Ruby Hill (9.00).

Kody Nestor, now a senior rider, also rode well-judged races from off the pace to score on Saintly Sun (12.00) and Flight To Quality (5.00).

David Pisani who served much of his apprenticeship with Peter Nestor before transferring to a Hawkesbury trainer also had a winner at Mudgee, Smart Money (8.00).

Peter Nestor is also well-known for his highly successful apprenticeship of Kathy O’Hara who is now one of the leading jockeys in Sydney.

Hoofnote: The Peter Nestor-trained Private Taber (Kody Nestor, 7.00) went close at Mudgee, going down by a nose to Don’t Move (Dale Spriggs, 17.00).

Dale Spriggs, on the sideline for 12 weeks through injury, resumed at Mudgee and had a winning double Don’t Move and No Mistaking (6.00).

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During his career as a champion jockey Malcolm Johnston freely admits he often came off second best when visiting the stewards room on many occasions.

Fortune however, favoured Johnston at Mudgee on Sunday when Alberio which he trains at Hawkesbury survived a protest after the Class One Handicap (1400 metres).

Craig’N’Ian after setting the pace was joined by Alberio in the straight and the pair went stride for stride to the line.

Alberio (Adrian Robinson, 8.00) gained the verdict by a nose then survived a protest by Neil Paine on Craig’N’Ian (8.00).

Malcolm Johnston wasn’t present and he was represented in the stewards room by his wife Gayle Johnston.

Winning the Regional Auto Supplies Geurie Picnic Cup (1400 metres) on Saturday with One Last Shot was a big thrill for the McKinnon family.

Scott McKinnon is president of the Geurie club and also mine host at the Geurie Hotel while his father John McKinnon from Dubbo is the trainer of One Last Shot.

Sue McKinnon, mother and wife respectively of Scott and John, is the owner of One Last Shot.

Carry The Dance and Segovian set the pace in the cup with One Last Shot well back in the nine horse field.

Ridden by Ricky Blewitt, One Last Shot (7.00) flew down the outside to beat Orbit (Ashley Boyd, 6.00 and Snowy On The Tram (Stuart Brown, 10.00) Geurie attracted a big crowd.