The TAB May Racing Carnival is with us again, proudly boasting a stunning prize pool of $1.6 million, making it one of the leading meetings on the national racing calendar.

The people of the south-west know only too well that we are lucky to have this carnival, not least because it injects a much-needed and healthy $20 million or so into the local economy as thousands of visitors descend on our patch for a week of celebration.

It was not that long ago that the carnival was under serious threat of, if not extinction, a slow death as the anti-jumps racing lobby, led by the RSPCA, made inroads into the corridors of power at Spring Street.

But after 170 years or so of tradition in this proud city of Warrnambool the May Racing Carnival lived to fight another day. And rightly so.

The carnival enjoyed the backing of the Coalition government when it was in power and with new racing minister Martin Pakula also a fan of jumps racing can expect to retain the all-important political support. Without it, things would be much more difficult for the Warrnambool Racing Club.

As it is, the club can expect a business-as-usual relationship with both sides of the house for the foreseeable future.

This week’s carnival promises to be a ripper, enjoying massive support from trainers for an event that has stood the test of time and never fails to excite and entertain.

One of the things that makes this carnival so special is the significant support it receives from the local business community through sponsorship and entertainment packages.

It is a mark of the carnival’s special place in the heart of this city that the racing club does not have to beg the community for support.

But that’s Warrnambool all over, we know a good thing when we see it.

Have a happy and safe carnival.