The novice steeplechase, named after the 1989 Grand Annual Steeplechase winner, was added to the program for the first time last year after spirited debate within the club.

The club had previously axed a steeplechase for inexperienced jumpers because when it was last run a decade ago too many horses fell.

Speaking after long-shot Pentomatic won the 3450-metre race in a three-way photo finish, Musgrove said the race was a good addition to the carnival.

"It's a brilliant race," Musgrove said.

"I know the club was a little bit reserved about it, in the old days it was a novice and a lot of the horses weren't to the level they are now. But it's been two very, very good races the two years they have run it, any of those horses could have run in the Brierly, it's not like they were second-rated horses."

The Cranbourne-based trainer's win marked the 13^th year he has claimed a jumps race at the carnival since 1995. He has produced 22 winners in that time.

"It's lovely to win races, especially at Warrnambool because it is a feature carnival, primarily jumping," he said.

"The club has done a great job promoting it and you only have to look at everyone here, it's supported fantastically."

Musgrove said Pentomatic was "very honest" but didn't think the nine-year-old would win.

"I thought he was a place chance," he said of the runner, which paid $55 on the TAB.

"There were a couple of smart horses, Ascot Red and a couple of others who I thought were better than him."

He said the Grand Annual Steeplechase could be on the jumper's agenda if he continued to improve.

"We will see how he progresses," he said.

Pentomatic defeated the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Ascot Red by a half-head while the Henry Dwyer-trained Solar Coaster was a further half-head away third.

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