The Apsley Cup, Ballarat Cup, Swan Hill June Racing Carnival and the Yarra Valley Christmas Race Day are the other nominations to win the prestigious award, which pockets the winner a $10,000 funding grant.

Warrnambool Racing Club chairman Des Roberts was thrilled the club had been nominated.

"We're delighted. From a racing point of view this year's May carnival was just fantastic,” he said.

“The finish to the Grand Annual Steeplechase was one of the best I’ve seen, and across the three days we attracted strong fields and many of the best trainers and jockeys.

“We were very pleased with our off-track activities, which saw significant increases in racecourse attendance, hospitality sales and betting turnover.

“We enjoy strong support from the local community and this year’s results cement our position as the best regional racing carnival in Australia.”

Dunkeld has been nominated for the award previously, but club president Edward Blackwell hoped it could win the title this year.

“We have a dedicated and hard-working team here, including our valued community groups,” he said.

“They work tirelessly to deliver an event that meets the expectations of our customers in every way, from the time they arrive in Dunkeld to when they leave.

“Our event has established itself as a must-attend event on the country racing calendar and it is fantastic our efforts are rewarded with this nomination.”

The winning club will be announced at the 2014-15 Country Racing Victoria awards on August 29.

PROVEN wet tracker Lunar Nova had conditions to suit when he defeated Shiny Manners and Just Call Me Bruce in a restricted race over 1700 metres at Warrnambool on Saturday.

Luna Nova's trainer Peter Chow said the eight-year-old now had limited options.

"He loves wet tracks. He's been an honest horse. He was in the right race, got the right conditions and distance so he was entitled to win," he said.

"It's going to be hard to place him now. He's not much good on the synthetic tracks and that's what they want to hold a lot of race meetings on.

“I might take him to Ballarat this Sunday and hope he gets a really wet track again."

From his 58 starts Luna Nova has won eight races. He also has 13 minor placings to his credit.

PART-time steward Shane Bettess heads to Macau in September for six months to work in a stipendary job.

Bettess, 56, a former jumps jockey, has worked at Racing Victoria for more than 22 years in his role.

He will assist former Racing Victoria steward Heidi Lester, who is now chairman of stewards in Macau.

"I've got to thank Racing Victoria's Terry Bailey. Terry encouraged me to take up the job," Bettess said.

"They race twice a week in Macau. There are more than 420 horses between 24 trainers. I'm looking forward to gaining international experience as a steward."

PROMISING hurdler Vatuvei is destined for jumping greatness, according to jumps jockey Joe Hateley.

Hateley rode Vatuvei to an impressive victory over Amaverde and Practiced in a $25,000 restricted hurdle at Warrnambool on Saturday.

The 36-year-old part-time jumps jockey said Vatuvei, who has won three of his four hurdle starts, would play a big part in feature jumps races next season.

"Vatuvei is still learning," he said. "There's heaps of upside to him. He will be the real deal next season. He handles all types of going and can stay all day."

Hateley, who won the 2002 Warrnambool Galleywood Hurdle on Sylvan Heights, was lucky to get on the first-season jumper.

"I did a lot of the early schooling on Vatuvei but Tommy Ryan has been riding him on race day. Tommy has gone to the Galway Jumps Festival in Ireland so I picked up the ride," he said.

"Tommy's bad luck has turned into my good luck. I'm not sure if trainer Peter Moody will take Vatuvei to Ballarat next Sunday for the Houlahan Hurdle or he may give him a break."

Vatuvei has won nearly $50,000 in stakesmoney from his four jumps starts.

TOP jockey Steve Pateman handed out an early tip for the 2016 Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase after riding No Song No Supper to victory in a $30,000 open steeplechase at Warrnambool on Saturday.

No Song No Supper defeated Longshaw by more than two lengths in the 3486-metre race, with Zataglio in third place.

Pateman said he was impressed with No Song No Supper's first steeplechase.

"I rate No Song No Supper really high. He ticks a lot of boxes as a Grand Annual horse next year," he said.

"He will stay all day and he loves wet ground. I really like him as a top 'chaser for next year."

No Song No Supper won four hurdle starts before Saturday's steeplechase win.

APPRENTICE jockey Ben Allen pleaded guilty to a charge that he failed to ride third placegetter Sunset In Venice out over the final four strides to the winning post, with the stewards deciding it affected the outcome of a race at Bairnsdale.

Allen was banned from midnight on August 4 until midnight on August 11.

Stewards took into account his guilty plea, his inexperience (only 16 race rides), and that he has just returned to riding after a hiatus due to injury.

VALIANT WARRIOR: I loved the way he won a 1200m race at Moonee Valley on Saturday. He can be competitive in stronger Melbourne races over the next few months.