The Robert Smerdon stable came up trumps when it counted most with Tinamou in the Listed Warrnambool Cup.
The six-year-old broke a run of nine outs for Smerdon over the three-day carnival which he dominated last year winning seven races which earned him a Mercedes Benz four wheel drive valued at $90,000.
The vehicle, the trainers’ bonus, did not go off this year.
“I would have been here earlier but I didn’t know were the winners’ stall was,” Smerdon said after the race.
“We’ve had three seconds and a third but that’s the game, you just keep chipping away.
Smerdon scratched Tinamou from Friday’s Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) in preference to the 2350m $150,000 Warrnambool feature as he was looking for a wet track for the gelding who has won at the May carnival three years in succession.
The past two years Tinamou won the 0-72 Hcp (1700m), last year beating subsequent VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Moudre.
“He loves the soft ground and he was out to his right trip,” Smerdon said.
“It’s probably taken a few runs to get him fit off a long layoff but his last run when second at Flemington last time put the writing on the wall and I don’t think there is too much (difference) in the track.
“He stayed on the fence and he had a good run in the race.”
Tinamou gave jockey Peter Mertens a second Warrnambool Cup success to go with his victory aboard True Courser in 2005.
Sent out at $5, he ploughed through the heavy going to beat Niwot ($4.60) by four lengths with Streaky Fella ($13) three-quarters of a length away third.
The Tony Noonan-trained Kutchinsky was sent out $3.80 favourite before finishing fifth, beaten 8-3/4 lengths.
“The first part of the race they went pretty hot out of the straight and I was actually off the bridle trying to hold my spot,” Mertens said.
“The instructions were not to leave the fence and I only went around one (Niptious).
“Coming to the home turn I thought I’d gone too soon but they were all struggling out wide.”
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