Racing.com

The tributes continue to flow for Stern Idol after the champion jumper lumped to 75kg to victory in Tuesday’s feature event at Warrnambool, the $150,000 Brierly Steeplechase. Trainer Shane Jackson, who rode Gold Medals to Brierly glory in 2018 for Symon Wilde, and later won the 2020 Grand Annual Steeplechase aboard the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Ablaze, rates Stern Idol as “by far the best steeplechaser” he has seen in this part of the world.

Oliveanotherday became the first three-year-old Listed Wangoom Handicap winner in nearly three decades on Wednesday, as Tom Dabernig’s lightning galloper continues to repay owner and breeder Andrew Harrison. Now a winner of five races from seven starts, the son of Nicconi was allotted just 54kg and always travelled best under Harry Coffey, absorbing early pressure and still holding more than two lengths on Immortal Star late.

Luca Remondet produced a second brilliant ride in as many days for John Leek Jnr as The Storyteller held on to win a thrilling Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool on Wednesday. Having just his second start over jumps, though already an impressive winner at his first, The Storyteller started a $2.90 second favourite and further advertised himself as a jumper to follow.

The re-scheduling of Sunday’s The Archer meeting at Rockhampton to Tuesday meant Nash Rawiller arrived in Warrnambool a day later than originally planned. And when he did get to Victoria on Wednesday, the veteran jockey did so minus his luggage and riding gear, thanks to an error from the airline he flew with. It mattered little, though, as some of Rawiller’s peers came to his aid, ensuring he could ride on Day 2 of the May Carnival on Wednesday.

Tears flowed for a jubilant Taige Weir on Wednesday, as the young trainer celebrated her maiden victory at Warrnambool when Kings Reflection lifted himself off the canvas to get the job done at the second time of asking. For Weir, who only recently gained her trainer’s licence and had her first runner at Colac on March 1, it was the biggest and proudest moment of her fledgling career. “It’s just amazing. This horse is so special, I just love him so much,” the 27-year-old trainer said.

RACE 2 – Maiden plate (1700 metres) Result: 1st: Vieux Riche ($2), 2nd: Nightynight ($8), 3rd: Sloane Raider ($101). Margins: 3.25 and 5.25 lengths. Despite a huge drift, from as short as $1.35 to $2.05 come jump-time, Vieux Riche gave Shane Jackson's stable an early running double under a 10/10 steer from John Allen. The promising son of Puissance De Lune had placed in two of three prior outings, and always travelled close to the speed in a muddling affair, putting the race away on the turn.

Terry McAuliffe – Murray Bridge Best Bet (Race 4) - 9. Big Rita June A filly with upside and if she runs up to her last start will be hard to beat. Rebecca Hill – Eagle Farm Best Bet (Race 7) - 3. Vein Girl Resumes. She turned out some strong performances in the spring and impressed in a recent trial win. Chris Camilleri – Warwick Farm Best Bet (Race 5) - 13. Superfabulistic Has hit the line powerfully at her past two starts and is now ready to peak, maps well and 1600m suits.

Stern Idol certainly had to earn the victory — and not only because of the 75kg on his back. When he came down the hill to the Tozer Road double, where runners must shift sharply to the right, jockey Steven Pateman was careful not to bustle the big gelding around the bend under such a heavy weight. That allowed three runners to improve up on his inside, and Stern Idol suddenly went from leading to fourth in the space of a few strides, with his history-making bid briefly looking in danger.