His near tears speech at the presentation ceremony culminated in thoughts of past Krambach Race Club president Alan Bakewell being in hospital, a death, and no doubt thoughts of his past father, Bill Rollings, a long-time committee member of Taree Wingham Race Club.

It was his father that blooded Rollings into racing thoroughbreds, some good, others not so good, but it was costly Cash Spinner which he put all his hopes into being a handy galloper.

Former trainer Bart Dening did all the formative work on Cash Spinner and when he retired after a couple of wins with her, the training was passed to the capable hands of Grafton’s John Shelton who notched his fifth win with the mare and took her prizemoney to just over $110,000.

Rollings paid tribute to both trainers, was happy to have a hometown cup, and — “this means a lot.”

Jockey Ben Looker, formerly apprenticed to Shelton, gave Cash Spinner a cosy run mid-field behind the tearaway leader, Single Spirit (5th, $17), trained on the track by Ross Stitt, before making its move halfway down the straight.

Cash Spinner scored wide out by a neck from Port Macquarie’s Hippy High Ho ($5), which ran a good race in open company the first time for trainer Neil Godbolt, a length in front of Port’s Don’t Nicme ($6).

Club president Les Cross thanked all participants for making the 133rd running of the cup a success, it being one of the oldest cups held in the country.

Riding honours went to regular visitor, Hall Of Fame jockey Robert Thompson, who rode a winning treble with Godbolt’s Fabry, Warwick Farm trainer Gregory Hickman’s I’m Bulletproof, and Newcastle trainer’s Roxette.

Fabry ($2.80 to $2.20) made it four wins from five starts at the track in leading all the way in the Harrington Hotel — Krambach Sprint Handicap over 1255m to score by just over a length for a syndicate of family owners, including his mother Phyllis Thompson.

“He had just ridden two winners and I said gee, he won’t have enough petrol left for ours,” said his mother.

“He is a good boy and has been all his life, she said in admiration.

“Mum got him home…she cheered him on,” said her son in coming back to the winner’s stall.

“This horse loves racing here and his only way is out in front…that’s what he likes,” he said.

Hickman’s trip north was rewarded with I’m Bulletproof ($1.50) justifying its short quote to score stylishly to show the four-year-old gelding has potential over further distances with a 1.5 length win in the Twin Palms Spring Water Maiden Handicap over 1408m.

Three-year-old filly Roxette appreciated the step up to 1255m in the DFK Crosbie Maiden Plate to land some good bets ($3.90 to $3.20) for a syndicate of owners headed by Leigh Watson.

Seven-year-old gelding New Divide ($2.70) justified its favouritism with a ride by Chris O’Brien, following instructions from Port trainer Tas Morton, in the Bushland Tavern Class 3 Handicap over 1610m.

“It is good when the plans come together,” said O’Brien to Morton after the just under a length win.

Visiting gallopers again showed their ability with wins by The Wasp ($2) for Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and jockey Andrew Gibbons in the XXXX Gold Plate over 1005m; Duke ($3.20) for Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer and jockey Aaron Bullock in the Wingham Accounting Services Class 2 Plate over 1255m; and Difficult

To Get ($3) for Wyong mentor Jeff Englebrecht and Bullock in the Hygain Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1005m.

Racing returns to Bushland Drive Racecourse for its Spring Cup, Melbourne Cup day meeting on Tuesday, November 1.