It is the May carnival everyone in racing looks forward to and BetDeluxe lists the top five moments of racing at the ‘Bool in since the turn of the century.
From Rick McIntosh to some fine jumping performances, these moments will be etched in history.
#5
The Statesman wins The Galleywood
As far as feel-good stories go, there was none better than The Statesman bounding away to win The Galleywood Hurdle of 2021.
Trainer Brett Scott had only just been released from hospital five weeks earlier after suffering a horrific incident at his Mornington stables where a horse kicked him in the head.
Scott was put in an induced coma and would eventually recover to see his galloper hurtle over the hurdles to score one of the most famous victories.
Commentator Ric McIntosh did not let us down either.
“Scotty, you hero,” he exclaimed as The Statesman crossed the finish line in the first place.
#4
The Car is off and gone
It was the 2014 Warrnambool Cup.
The hot favourite for the race was the Darren Weir-trained Azar.
Trained initially by Rob Black, Weir would acquire the progressive stayer in the early parts of 2014, winning the Warrnambool Cup.
Brad Rawiller would saddle the galloper up from barrier 16, and it was one more of the jaw-dropping rides you will see.
There must be something about the Rawillers and their ability to find the outside fence – see Nash on Think It Over in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes of 2022.
In a race that saw the field fan off the inside, Brad and Akzar would find the outside fence and launch a devastating change of gears.
As Akzar pulled away in the home straight, it was time for another bit of gold from the tonsils of the ‘Bool carnival.
“VROOM, VROOM, VROOM. THE CAR IS OFF AND GONE AT THE ‘BOOL,” Ric McIntosh shouted at the top of his lungs.
The crowd went bonkers, and it was another collect for the punters.
#3
Seriously, how bloody good is 'the Bool?
The 2017 Grand Annual Steeplechase threw up one of the most significant wins of the race we have ever seen.
Ciaron Maher and Johnny Allen combined to help Regina Coeli catapult herself into Warrnambool Carnival folklore as a winner of the most fantastic steeplechase event in the Southern hemisphere.
For all the fame and fortune bestowed upon the winner, a saying would ring around the course, and every time this carnival popped up would become part of Australian racing vernacular.
Ric McIntosh would drop more gold through the microphone as the field charged its way down through Al Garhood and towards the Toser Road double.
“SERIOUSLY, HOW BLOODY GOOD IS THE ‘BOOL?”
Excellent, Ric, very bloody good.
#2
Al Garhood makes it back-to-back
He has a spot on the Grand Annual circuit named after him and will be revered as one of the greatest steeplechasers in Australian racing history.
Al Garhood was a warrior in every sense of the word.
The heart of a lion and a will to win like no other.
His first win of the Grand Annual Steeplechase was a 20-length demolition job of his rivals in 2010.
Backing up a feat like that with extra weight was always a monumental task.
Ciaron Maher would produce one of the incredible training feats to get this veteran galloper roused up for another crack at glory.
A year later, Al Garhood would return to defend his crown as a $7 elect, and he did not disappoint.
He would win the 2011 Grand Annual by four-and-a-half lengths and become the first horse since Hibernian Prince (2001 & 2002) to win the race in consecutive years.
#1
Gold Medals retires a champion
Leaving a little left in the tank when you retire is often an excellent way to go.
It was the way Gold Medals ended his career as a jumps horse.
Facing off against his long-time sparring partner Zed Em, Gold Medals would blow for blow yet again in the 2021 Grand Annual.
In one of the most energy-sapping 5500-metre events, you will ever see, Gold Medals and Zed Em had one of the most epic ding-dong battles up the home straight.
Their heads were in unison, the crowd was frenzied, and the jockeys asked for everything.
Gold Medals would call upon his 2018 win and all the experience under his bonnet to record his second win in the race.
A true hero for the locals and our number-one moment at the ‘Bool since the turn of the century.
