It was a comfortable win for the six-year-old gelding as it romped home to win by five lengths. 

Terry and Katrina O’Sullivan’s Lachie’s a Star came home second in the $20,000 race with Evenmoreaction completing the trifecta a fraction further back in the field. 

The win topped off a strong 12-month period for Vianden which started with a win in the corresponding cup last year.

It also won the Wycheproof Cup in November and was first over the line in the $20,000 Varapodio Family Italian Plate at Tatura earlier this month.

Nhill and District Racing Club manager Penny Penfold said Vianden winning the cup was an unreal result.

“Austy had a fantastic day out which was great to see,” she said.

“I think last year was either his first time at Nhill, or it was his first time in a long time, and he was chuffed to go away with the cup.

“This year he bought another six or so horses.”

The Coffey-combination also came away with wins in the first and final races of the day. The O’Sullivans managed a win with Magromenus in race five. 

Penfold said the crowd was very well behaved on an incident-free day.

“The initial count was about 1200 through the gate which is back to what we expect after we were down a little last year,” she said.

“We also had a new shade sail up over our betting ring this year, it was just excellent and it was something you couldn’t help but notice when you walked into the course.”

Fashions on the field were competitive with Horsham’s Melanie Wade winning the contemporary lady of the and the best head piece. Josh Shrive and Sarah Deckert were named the best dressed couple of the day.

Penfold said the success of the meeting was testament to the good work put in by the club’s volunteers.

“It was a really pleasing result for a small club that only races once a year and is run by a committee of volunteers,” she said.