VETERAN Crossley trainer Quinton Scott adds another remarkable achievement to his record at Warrnambool next week.
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The traditional three-day Warrnambool May Racing Carnival will be replaced by a two-day meeting because of the coronavirus pandemic but it will not stop Scott from producing at least one runner at every carnival for 47 consecutive years.
"I'll have one or two runners over the two days," he said.
"It's quite amazing that I've had runners for 47 consecutive years. Sadly, a lot of my old mates who were trainers are no longer alive.
"I'm still lucky to be training. I had a health scare a few years ago but everything is good now.
"I've got to congratulate Racing Victoria and its stakeholders for keeping racing going during the virus. They have done a marvellous job in very difficult times."
The only disappointment Scott has relating to next week's meeting at Warrnambool is his stable star Nicajon will be missing.
""Nicajon pulled up a bit sore after work the other morning," he said.
"He's done his tendon in his near side front leg. It's a blow because I had a race at Warrnambool next Wednesday earmarked for him but now he'll have about six months in the paddock."
Nicajon has won two of his nine starts and earned more than $55,000 in stakemoney for his connections.
Scott won the Brierley-Grand Annual Steeplechase double with Rocky Affair in 1984 and the carnival's feature sprint race, the Wangoom Handicap, on two occasions - first with Toroa in 1978, and then with Prince Of Brandy in 1984.
Cup chance
IRISH-born jockey Declan Bates has been confirmed asToo Close The Sun's jockey in the $225,000 Warrnambool Cup next Wednesday.
Bates rode the Lindsey Smith-trained Too Close The Sun to his last victory in the Terang Cup on April 19.
The Warrnambool-based hoop said he was delighted to be riding Too Close The Sun in the feature flat race over 2350 metres.
"I think he's a very good horse," Bates said.
"He gave me a good feel in winning the Terang Cup. He's a very nice progressing stayer who is straight forward to ride in his races.
"I'm grateful to Lindsey and Too Close The Sun's owners for giving me the ride. It would be a wonderful thrill if I could win the Warrnambool Cup."
Too Close The Sun has won six races from his 12 starts and been in the placegetters' stall on five occasions.
Rain dance
SIMON Ryan is praying for the weather gods to produce a heavy track for the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase next Tuesday.
Ryan will saddle up a one-pacer wet tracker Police Camp in the $315,000 over 5500 metres.
"I want a really heavy track for Police Camp," the Warrnambool-based trainer said.
"My bloke is a really slow but a heavy track will bring the others back to him.
"He's got no flat form. He's a clean-winded horse. We'll come in on the minimum weight and if the track is heavy, the top hopes may struggle carrying big weights in the going.
"The track was really heavy when Police Camp won the Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool last year. I just think the Annual could be a bit light for quality because they are running the Brierly and the Grand Annual on the one day.
"The Brierly looks like being a very strong race. It was an easy choice for me to run Police Camp in the Annual."
He's A Genius, a new acquisition to Ryan's stable, will be entered for the Brierly and the novice steeplechase next Tuesday.
"I've only had He's A Genius for a couple of weeks," the former jumps-jockey-turned-trainer said. "He's A Genius used to be trained by Terry O'Sullivan. I don't think he likes really wet ground. I'll put an entry in for both races and just sees what happens."
Ryan's handy flat performer Grandview Avenue will spend three months on the sidelines after a veterinary examination identified the presence of blood in both nostrils after running at Terang.
Ryan's brother Patrick is contemplating running Bold Bandit and I'll'ava'alf in the Grand Annual Steeplechase.
"I'll just see how the fields are looking for the Grand Annual before making a final decision," the Warrnambool Cup-winning trainer said.
"I'm pretty sure I'll run the both horses in the Annual. Bold Bandit's best overseas form is in very long distances races and he'll get that in the Annual while I'll'ava'alf has run a couple of nice races in jumps races around Warrnambool if he ran up to his best he could be competitive in an Annual."
Ryan trained Video Star to win the 2008 Warrnambool Cup.
Meet swap
THIS year's Aspley Cup, which was to be run at Edenhope on June 7, has been transferred to Casterton on June 6.
Racing across the state is being conducted under strict biosecurity protocols and the decision was made by Racing Victoria.
Swan Hill's three-day carnival was reduced to a one-day meeting on June 7.
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