May Racing Carnival patrons soak up the sunshine on day 1

Rather than rugging up, racegoers soaked up the sunshine and fine conditions.

“It’s sunglasses instead of rain hats,” said May Races regular Geoff Wilson.

Mr Wilson has been attending the carnival for the past 25 years and said he loved the event.

“This will sound strange, especially today, but normally it’s a little bit wet and a little bit cooler which adds to the atmosphere. I like the jumps races.”

Mr Wilson enjoys watching the Brierly Steeplechase and said the highlight of the week was heading down to the Lady Bay before heading to the track.

“I like to get here early. One of the best bits is watching the horses work along the beach and when they’re swimming and the boats are towing along.

“It’s priceless. You can’t go to Flemington and see the horses working or swimming along in the beach.”

Mr Wilson, from Wonthaggi, stays in Port Fairy and attends the three days. “It’s my little escape for the year.

“I don’t go to other race meetings. I tried to after coming here, but it’s just not the same. It’s a different atmosphere and a different crowd.”

Omar Alvarez attends each year and said he loved the friendly, warm people and the carnival atmosphere.

He attends the Ladies Luncheon with a mate on Tuesday and hands out Cuban cigars to people he meets throughout the three days.

“You become like a family,” Mr Alvarez said. “You catch up, have a drink, it’s hassle free. It doesn’t really matter if it rains or it’s cold. You know it’s cold in Warrnambool and the people come out.”

He said he was regularly invited to corporate boxes in Melbourne but prefers the down-to-earth vibe that Warrnambool offered. “You’ve got the members and the non members and everyone mingles.”

Warrnambool’s Kevin Doman is a familiar face around the course. He has been working on the gates since 2002.

“I applied when I finished up work and I got it and I’ve been here ever since,” Mr Doman said. 

“I started as a casual for May Races but after that I got on full time for every race meeting.

“I love the atmosphere. You get a chance to catch up with people you haven’t seen for a long time. It’s just generally a great time and it’s great for Warrnambool.

He enjoys providing information services to patrons but doesn’t place a bet for the three days.

“I’m not a betting man. People say ‘did you win?’ and I say ‘I always win because I get paid to come’.”

He said as long as he is fit and well he will continue working on course.

“I won’t stop because I enjoy it too much.”

Macarthur strappers Mark and Debbie Murray had three horses running on Tuesday. 

“They’re Quinton Scott’s horses. We had one run in the first race, Clemmensen. We’re working but we’ve got a share in him as well. It’s a double interest,” Mrs Murray said.

The horse placed fourth in the 3200 metre maiden hurdle event.

“It was his first time over hurdles and over that distance so we were rapt,” she said.

The couple is looking forward to relaxing at the carnival the next two days.

“We religiously come here every year. We love the jumps. It’s a spectacular sport,” Mrs Murray said.