Local trainer Daniel Bowman has described winning the feature sprint of the Warrnambool May Carnival as a big thrill.
Recent stable acquisition Outlaws Revenge provided Bowman with his first win in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday.
The Warrnambool Carnival is built around the jump’s features, but with two major flat races, the Wangoom along with the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on the final day.
Bowman does not train jumpers and his focus has been trying to win the Wangoom or the Cup and he thought he had a chance back in 2018 with Working From Home in the Wangoom, only having to scratch the sprinter on the morning of the race.
Ridden by Dean Yendall, Outlaws Revenge ($6) scored a 1-¼ length win from last year’s winner Frankie Pinot ($10) with Sacred Palace ($13) a nose away third.
Bowman said it was a huge thrill to finally win the Wangoom.
“I don’t train jumpers so this and the Cup are target races,” Bowman said.
“I’ve had shocking luck in this race. I had the second favourite one year who had a temperature the night before and I scratched Begoodtoyamother last year.
“I can’t thank the owners enough for giving me the opportunity.
“The horse came to me in unbelievable order. Ryan Balfour’s team have done a huge job and I’ve been in the same position. It feels disgusting to lose a good horse like that.”
Bowman said he had Outlaws Revenge in perfect shape for Wednesday’s race but was uncertain how the sprinter would perform on the heavy ground.
He said he hopes Wednesday’s win will showcase his skills as a trainer.
“You can’t win races if you haven’t got the stock so it is good to show everyone once again that if I’ve got the stock, I can do the job,” Bowman said.
For Yendall it was his third victory in the Wangoom after wins on Uxorious in 2011 and Handsome Thief seven years later.
Yendall was thrilled to land a feature winner at the Carnival for Bowman.
“He’s a great fella and they do a marvellous job with the team that they have,” Yendall said.
“They always throw me a bone here and there and I love to get the results when they do.
“A few seasons back I rode a winner for him here and it was just as bad conditions as out there.
“For these guys a win during the carnival is brilliant but winning one of the majors, even better.”