After two action-packed days, the final day of the Warrnambool Carnival didn't disappoint with the running of the Grand Annual and Warrnambool Cup in front of a packed house.
Roughies dominated the early races on Day 3 at 'The Bool' as the likes of El Diez ($23), Dustland Fairytale ($17) and Dunman ($26) all saluting inside the first five races.
Ashfod Street and Puckapunyal both flexed their respective muscle at benchmark level, proving too strong for their counterparts in their respective races.
In the first of the two big races, Vanguard was looking to back up from Tuesday's win in the Brierly Steeplechase as favourite. The hill was packed and the crowd were up and about. Ric McIntosh even delivered his famous line of "how bloody good is The Bool" during the race.
How good is #TheBool! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aJTLGtqJ1s
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 5, 2022
Unfortunately, there would be no fairytale as the favourite suffered a nasty fall mid-race. Will McCarthy steered Heberite home for a hard-fought victory for the Ciaron Maher stable, giving the trainer his sixth Grand Annual triumph.
"He will be right!"
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 5, 2022
Heberite takes out the 2022 Grand Annual Steeplechase 👊@cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/5fcg6Mj5QH
Vanguard and San Remo, who also fell in the race, reportedly were up and walking around afterwards which is a great sign and hopefully both horses aren't seriously injured. Will Gordon injured his shoulder in the fall and was suspended for the remainder of the meeting.
Witchachar Star took out the 2,350m Warrnambool Cup, taking the lead wide on the final bend to win from Nerve Not Verve, with a long gap to Constantinople in third.
The Chris Hyland-trained gelding jumped at $9 but proved far too strong on the heavy track.
See below for the full results of Day 3 of Warrnambool Carnival.
Warrnambool Day 3 Results
RACE (DISTANCE) | WINNER |
R1. Champion Novice Hurdle (3200m) | El Diez |
R2. Super Vobis 3yo Bm70 Handicap (1400m) | Dustland Fairytale |
R3. The Standard Bm78 Handicap (1100m) | Ashford Street |
R4. F&m Bm70 Handicap (1400m) | Puckapunyal |
R5. Bm64 Handicap (2000m) | Dunmam |
R6. Neville Wilson Final (1700m) | Marchons Ensemble |
R7. Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) | Heberite |
R8. Kia Handicap (1400m) | Tuvalu |
R9. Warrnambool Cup (2350m) | Witchachar Star |
R10. Bm64 Handicap (1300m) | Launch Pad |