Scott, who won the Grand Annual and Brierly Steeplechases plus two Wangoom Hanidcaps has had at least one runner or more at each carnival since 1973 and could saddle up four runners this year.

"I suppose it's not a bad record having a runner at each carnival since 1973. I never set out to do that but it just happened. I must admit I just love the carnival," he said. "It's incredible to think that the Brierly and Grand Annual wins with Rocky Affair were back in 1984. There's been a lot of water gone under the bridge since Rocky Affair won both races with Grant Ace in the saddle."

The respected trainer played down his hopes of having a winner at this week's carnival.

"I'm just glad I'm here to enjoy the event. I'll probably have four runners," he said. "There's  so many of my old mates not here anymore so I reckon I'm a winner just being here."

Scott's Wangoom winners were Toroa in 1978 and Prince Of Brady in 1984.

POPULAR Warrnambool  galloper King Cotton looks likely to make a return to racing on Wednesday after more than two years on the sidelines with leg injuries.

Trainer Merv McKenzie will accept with King Cotton in a benchmark 70 race over 1000 metres on the middle day of the three day carnival.

"It's been a long road back for King Cotton," McKenzie said. "His legs are good and he's not lame which is great after the leg injuries he's had over the past few years. I've galloped him at Camperdown and Terang over the past few weeks and he's worked really well. I've accepted with him at Warrnambool. I've booked apprentice jockey Stephanie Thornton to ride him. Her three kilogram claim will be a bonus as we've got 63kgs."

King Cotton has won nine of his 35 starts.

ANNE McGrath will risk a fine from racing stewards for not declaring Mannertone's jockey in the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday before the 1.00pm deadline on Monday.

The Orford horsewoman said she would wait until the running of the Brierly Steeplechase on Tuesday before finalising her jockey in the $300,000 race.

"The 1pm deadline on Monday makes it too hard for small jumps trainers like me," McGrath said. "I've got a bottom weighted horse and I'm trying to get the best possible jumps jockey to ride the horse. The big stables get the big named jumps jockeys. I've had a chat with a couple of jockeys but they want to see how things pan out in the Brierly so I've just had to wait."

FIRST starter Vantaggio showed he may be a horse with above average ability when he scored an impressive maiden victory for Ciaron Maher at Cranbourne last Friday.

Heavily backed in the betting Vantaggio defeated Bright Spark by more than four lengths with Antonia in third place.

Maher said following the win Vantaggio had always shown some ability.

"We knew Vantaggio went well," the three time winning Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase trainer said. "He's shown us a bit on the track. I was impressed how he hit the line in the 1300 metre race, it would indicate he will get over more ground. We'll take him home and work out a program going forward for him."

Winning jockey Nick Hall pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge following his rode on Vantaggio. Hall's suspension commenced at midnight on May 1 and expires midnight May 13. His woes continued on Saturday when he copped a six meeting suspension following his ride on Lionhearted.

Vantaggio picked up $13,750 for his maiden win.

GRASSMERE Flyer's maiden victory at Penola on Sunday was rewarding, according to his trainer Adam Chambers. The four-year-old defeated Night Thief and She's Got Rhythm at his racecourse debut in the 1100 metre race.

"Grassmere Flyer has been a real handful," the young Warrnambool trainer said. "He's a home bred. It's a great result because he's raced by members of my family. We've been in no rush with him. He's been in and out of work on a few occasions. I'm not sure what we'll do with him going forward I just want to enjoy this win."

Chambers said Grassmere Flyer's dam Fulgid had also produced a couple of  other handy gallopers in Grassmere Mookta and Fullta.

A couple of interesting statistics for history buffs concerning the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. The largest field to start in the 5500-metre race was 16 with this happening on two occasions in 1949 and 1953. Bronze Laddie won the 1949 race carrying 64kg while Accentuate took out the 1953 event with 57kg. The 16 starters in 1953 was a striking contrast from 1952 when only three runners faced the starter making it the second smallest field on record. Hard Doer defeated Burling and Mutiny to win the 1952 race.

The smallest field happened in 1882 when Aslanbegoff ridden by Tommy Corrigan beat the only other starter Sparkle. Aslanbegoff started at odds of 2-1 on making him the shortest priced winner in the history of the famous jumping race.

The two most sensational races happened in 1909 and 1934 - in both years there were 10 runners and everyone either fell or baukled fences.

Mossbank was only one of three runners that was remounted and scored in 1909 while Flavedo won in 1934.