IT took 254 starts, but cult figure pacer Bernie Winkle has written his name into the Victorian harness racing record books at the Mildura paceway he has made his own.

The Bendigo-trained nine-year-old recorded a staggering 36th race victory on Friday night at the Mildura track.

It's a feat notable not only for the fact that it breaks a 30-year Victorian record, but also the manner in which it w...