John Shaw and Charlie Parnaby have trekked from Melbourne to Warrnambool for 50 years for the May Racing Carnival

The friends first attended the carnival in 1970 when they were 18 years old and were meant to clock up their golden anniversary in 2020 but the pandemic forced crowds out of last year's event.

"When we were first here, there were no phones or internet, nothing," Mr Parnaby said.

"We've walked up the hill every year and we'll do it again this year.

"The legend of our early years was Jim Houlahan, he was the Ciaron Maher back then and I think Ciaron is just about there."

The pair have many hilarious tales from the past 50 racing carnivals, but none can compare to a bet gone wrong for Mr Parnaby.

"When we used to come here as 18 year olds, the nightlife was fantastic," Mr Shaw said.

"We were at The Whalers one year when I dared Charles to slide down the stairs with no clothes on. The bouncer got him and put him in the cool room.

"I went up to the bouncer and said 'I've got his clothes, did you get a laugh out of it?' and the bouncer said yes, let him out and off we went."

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Over the years, the friends have seen drastic changes to the Warrnambool meet.

"There never used to be anything like this," Mr Parnaby said. "There was just canvas camping tents instead of the marquees.

"One year we were standing at a camping tent and John said he was going fishing in a few weeks and needed some pegs.

"We were waiting for ages for the people to leave so we could grab them, but they weren't moving.

"So John just grabbed some pegs and the tent fell down on everyone."

Out of the pair, Mr Shaw is the best better, having backed 10 Grand Annual winners in a row and has picked about 30 winners out of the 50 carnivals they have attended.

This year Mr Shaw is tipping Gold Medals and Mr Parnaby is going with Yes Sir. The pair also backed Flying Agent to take out the Brierly Steeplechase.

"The greatest Grand Annual winner I've ever seen was Sir Pentire," Mr Parnaby said. "He came back after not racing for two years and won the race."

The friends said they hoped to keep coming back to the May Races for years to come.

"We've met friends, lost friends, and then met more," Mr Parnaby said.

"It's been a great ride, nothing beats this week."

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