Warrnambool Carnival Double

The Warrnambool Carnival was good to us this year with two winners and a brave effort by Muirfield to run second at big odds in the Listed Warrnambool Cup.

Saluting for us on the middle day of the famous provincial racing feast, Ali Vital was impressive breaking his maiden by two lengths.

Stepping up to 1700m second up - having caught the eye with an encouraging third at Yarra Valley when resuming - Ali Vital travelled nicely midfield for Darren Gauci.

Cruising at the turn, Ali Vital quickly hauled in the leader and was clear by the 200m.

A son of underrated Sir Tristram stallion Yamanin Vital, Ali Vital is out of the winning Personal Escort mare Ali Rosa, a half-sister to the Gr.3 NZ St Leger winner Narousa.

Raced by Shergar Thoroughbreds (managers Brendan Tohill & Dr Susan Taylor), Shergar Doctors (manager Dr Susan Taylor), Dr Catherine Duncan, Jason & Helene Kidger, Geoffrey Shaw, Rennie Camilleri, Genevieve Hughes, Andrew Blain and Christoper Dobson, Ali Vital looks to have a bright staying future.

We waited until the very last race on the third day for our second winner, Picture Editor recording a cheeky victory in the 1700m handicap.

Despite pulling a bit early, the imported galloper was travelling nicely approaching the turn and just needed a bit of luck along the rails.

Fortunately a run presented itself and Michael Walker too a narrow gap with Picture Editor showing great heart to find the line - recording his first Australian victory.

Having only his second run back from a spell, Picture Editor had got back in a slowly run affair when resuming over 1400m and was far from disgraced. Stripping fitter at Warrnambool, he appreciated the sting out of the track and the step up in distance.

"He did a good job," said Grey Hoysted, "and Michael rode him perfectly - there wasn't much room there but the horse stuck his nose out when it counted."

Formerly a member of the Sir Henry Cecil stables in the UK, Picture Editor - a son of Dansili whose progeny have fared very well in this part of the world - won his first two starts at Doncaster and Leicester.

His debut victory came at the expense of odds-on favourite Nathaniel who went on to win the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Eclipse Stakes, both at Group One level.

His second win was by a remarkable 30 lengths and he went on to earn black type with a Listed placing at Goodwood - third behind subsequent St Leger winner Masked Marvel.

Picture Editor, a home-bred for Juddmonte, raced against some pretty smart types - in April 2011 finishing fifth of six at Group 3 level behind none other than Frankel.

And so Frankel form held up at Warrnambool!!

Congratulations to owners the Artiste Syndicate, Gurners Bloodstock, Peter Barnett, GG Syndicate Ltd, Neville-White Racing, The Jade Group, Potsies United, Harold Hansen, Thoroughbred Club Racing and Philip Cramer.

Picture Editor, who was gelded after his last campaign, was purchased for 130,000 guineas by Paul Moroney at the 2011 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale.