Last Sunday’s qualifying heats produced some great racing but sentimentally there could not have been a better result than Poppy Cee ($15.30) taking out the Eat Your Greens Function Centre Heat Five (2100m).

The five-year-old was bred by his namesake, the late Russell (Poppy) Cole who lived just a stone’s throw away from Eugowra on a property at Mandagery and prior to his passing, Russell looked forward to a day out in Eugowra, whether it was a Canola Cup, gymkhana or trial morning.

For the Cole family who owned an AG Hunter Cup winner in Rapid Frost, it has always been a real family affair and when daughter Lyn married talented horseman Andrew Cassell, the package was complete.

They would go on to win a stack of races throughout the Western District and beyond.

But there was something special about Poppy Cee’s win on Sunday, it was like Russell was there in spirit and the post-race presentation was emotion charged as both Cassell and owner Geoff Cole spoke about their desire to win the prestigious event in memory of their patriarch. 

It may appear on paper as a rough hope but who can discount Poppy Cee after him drawing barrier one for the $20,000 final to be staged next Monday afternoon.

The gelding couldn’t muster the speed to lead from barrier one on Sunday but in a solidly run race, Poppy Cee travelled sweetly for Cassell who was able to come away from the pegs on the final circle to challenge.

He hit the lead at the top of the lane and then fought on doggedly to score by a head over Go Lassie Go ($2.80, Murray Sullivan) which enjoyed a nice run in transit before launching her spirited challenge at the 400.

Pacemaker, Kyalla Tee Jay ($6.10, Nathan Hurst) faded in the straight to run third, beaten seven metres.

Brad Hewitt was without a doubt the star of the show on Sunday after producing two clever drives to score aboard Luksam and Holm Three, qualifying the pair for next week’s final.

Luksam ($5.90) lowered the colours of pre-post favourite Karloo Ten Seventy ($1.40) in the Roylances and Cumulus Wines heat three which returned the fastest time of the day (1.59.8).

Sydney reinsman Robert Morris made the long trip up to the central west for just the one drive and he was certainly not going to die wondering as he charged Karloo Ten Seventy forward after getting away well from barrier four.

Hewitt led with Luksam and used good judgement in deciding to allow Karloo Ten Seventy to roll to the top which gave him a cosy sit off a brisk pace set by the leader.

Rounding the home turn Luksam loomed largely and went right on by to record a convincing victory by just under five metres over Karloo Seventy which will no doubt be improved by the run and cannot be discounted in next Monday’s final despite drawing the outside of the second row.

Regal Point ($8.40, Bernie Hewitt) followed home for a distant third after sitting off the pace.

Hewitt revealed after the event that owner Belinda McCarthy sent the horse to him to train so that he was eligible to contest the Menangle Series but changed the plans once the Canola Cup rolled around.

Hewitt adopted similar tactics in the Bayer sponsored heat four when he partnered Holm Three ($3.60) to an impressive nine metre victory.

But on this occasion it was he that was the initial aggressor as he charged forward, three wide and persisted by crossing to lead after half a lap.

A consequence of that aggression was a very fast 34.8 lead time and Hewitt knew that he would need to get a breather somewhere throughout the last mile.

And just when he attempted to do that John O’Shea came rushing forward with 1200 metres to run aboard favourite Earl Of Huntington ($3.10).

In a sensible move, Hewitt handed up and that was the difference between winning and losing.

Holm Three came off the pegs leaving the back and raced clear for a very impressive nine metre win.

Outlaw Fella ($5.40, Dennis Day) ran an honest race for second after he made up ground from the tail of the field while Gatling Silver ($18.50, Nathan Hoy) was an honest third as he was involved in the early burn.

Owners Bob Boyd and Deidre Masters will be hoping that history repeats itself when Kenny Dee Dee lines up for next week’s final after the gelding proved too strong for his rivals in the Nufarm and Brett Myors Plastering heat six.

The pair, along with trainer Bernie Hewitt took out the 2011 edition of the Canola Cup with Bobby Dee Dee, a full brother to Kenny Dee Dee.

Hewitt always had his charge travelling well in the leading pack and he sprinted well when asked for an effort in the run home to score by two and a quarter metres.

Enjaycee ($6.50, Murray Sullivan) gave his driver a torrid trip as he pulled hard and was brave in defeat after the hard grind.

He ran second just ahead of Gifted Royal ($7.90, Amanda Turnbull) which got out late to grab the minor prize.

Peter and Marie Neal are also owners who have tasted Canola Cup success (Snazzy Shannon in 2008) and they will be represented in another final after Kapow Shannon ($15.50) was aided by a 10 out of 10 drive from Michael Munro to score a seven and a half metre win in the opening heat sponsored by Central Hotel and Canowindra Produce.

Munro slotted Kapow Shannon into the one out, one back trail on settling but decided to go forward and find the death chair where he was able to control the race.

When pacemaker Lexys On Fire put up the white flag, Munro charged Kapow Shannon away and he gapped his rivals who had to be content with fighting out the minors.

Is That So ($35.20, Robert Clifford) and Kytherian Flyer ($23.70, John O’Shea) came from well back to run the placings.

After announcing her permanent move to Victoria, Amanda Turnbull seems to be spending as much time back at her former base near Bathurst of late and she was able to snare a winning double at Eugowra with her most important win coming in the Forbes Machinery and Frank Spice Autos heat two aboard $1.40 favourite Mattjestic Star.

From barrier one the hot pot appeared to be in trouble after being clearly crossed at the start.

But Turnbull shunted her way off the pegs shortly after and moved Mattjestic Star up to take over with two laps to run.

The Western District Derby winner always appeared to be in total control thereafter and did the job well, going on the score by five and three quarter metres over Keep On Moving ($7.00, John O’Shea) who was nothing but brave after he faced the breeze throughout.

What I Mean To Say ($20.40, Steve Dowton) tried his heart out in finishing a margin back in third.

Amanda’s other win came in the Gundamain Feedlot and Byrne Clothing Pace (2100m) when the much improved Koloura Trump ($2.40) led home a stable quinella. Koloura Trump death chaired but was aided by the very slow speed adopted by John O’Shea on the other Steve Turnbull runner Irish Shenanigans ($5.20) which led.

The farcical pace gave the opposition little hope of running the pair down.

The locals were cheering early in the day when Our Mannish Boy ($9.10) gave the Jones family from Eugowra a big thrill, coming home from back in the pack to take out the Jelbarts Tyrepower and Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon and Co Pace (1700m).

The race was run a break neck speed and this assisted the winner while runner up Milton Chaney ($24, Nathan Hoy) was responsible for a strong effort as he set the pace.

It was Parkes’ Terry Powter and Terrie Prior’s turn to shine in the Adama Australia and Col Fletcher Ford Pace (1700m) as they got the cash with outsider Lucky Shannon ($28).

Nathan Hoy drove the mare for them and ironically she defeated Dreamy Shannon ($6.30, Michael Munro) which races for the former connections of the winner.

Sweet Tooth Omine ($4.40, Mat Rue) gave Graham and Denise Bullock a welcomed return to the winner’s circle in the Western Wool and Central West Granite Supplies Pace (1700m) when the seven year old mare proved a little too strong for Count Montecristo ($3.20, Tony Higgs) and Star Singer ($8, Nathan Hurst).

And one of the strongest wins of the afternoon came in the Dowl Ag Sciences and Michael Mongan Seed Cleaning Pace (1700m) when Forbes pacer, Chief Fairman ($7.40) simply ran his rivals ragged to score.

Driver Murray Sullivan was keen to lead but may not have banked on Darryl Davis attacking him throughout aboard Fantasy Level.

Despite this, Chief Fairman was able to get away on the home turn and then held on for a one metre win over Uncle Benjamin ($4.40, Anthony Frisby) and Serene Highness ($12.60, Todd Day).

The barrier draw for next week’s final was conducted after the final event on Sunday and after drawing barrier three, Holm Three may very well be sent out as the favourite for the final.

The draw is 1.PoppyCee, 2.Enjaycee (1st Emg), 3.Holm Three, 4.Kapow Shannon, 5.Kenny Dee Dee, 6.Go Lassie Go, 7.Keep On Moving, 8.Outlaw Fella, 9.Luksam, 10.Mattjestic Star, 11.Karloo Ten Seventy, 12.Is That So (2nd Emg).