Racing: Darren Weir still leading trainers' title

DARREN Weir continues to keep his lead in the Australian trainers' premiership.He took his tally to 55 at Colac yesterday - two ahead of Sydney's Peter Snowden.Weir is five clear of Peter Moody in Victoria.Gotta Take Care ($7) saluted in a 0-62 handicap, 2000m, for Weir at Colac.The five-year-old edged out the Damien Hunter-trained Ring My Bel ($3.40 equal favourite) as the son of Rubiton chalked up his second career win in 11 starts. Earlier in the day, Reel Schmick ($2.70 favourite) won on debut for the Caulfield-Ballarat stable of Robert Smerdon in a maiden 1200m.A three-year-old by Country Reel, Reel Schmick was scratched from Ararat on Sunday in preference to yesterday's assignment. BALLAN Jockey Club might have been trimmed from three race meetings to one a season in the past decade, but as far it is concerned there will be no more cuts.Presenting the trophies for the Ballan Cup at Geelong on Saturday, BJC president Robert Eskdale said the club remained "very healthy"."The club's been going for 147 years and with the success of today's meeting, we'll be around for quite a while yet," he said.An estimated 3200 people attended the race day, with all dining packages booked out.Fifty entrants faced the judges for "Lady of the Day" honours, Nicole McAleese from Langwarrin winning.Sarah Farrelly, of Werribee, was runner-up.Elly McCarty, of Ballan won the hat of the day competition ahead of Debbie McLeod, of Mt Egerton.SEBASTIAN Murphy will return from suspension in time to ride at the Ballarat Cup meeting on Wednesday, November 18.Murphy pleaded guilty to careless riding at Ararat on Sunday and was suspended from midnight yesterday to midnight next Tuesday (two city and eight country meetings). Stewards took into account Murphy's plea and that he had just resumed race riding from a long break.