Young Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams would have to be one of the nicest guys in racing, and after Uxorious' gutsy win in the time-honoured Wangoom Handicap yesterday, the one they call 'Beetroot' could be driving away in a $104k Mercedes-Benz. Suddenly a realistic contender in the 'Bool Trainer's Bonus, won last year by an ablaze Robert Smerdon on just the second day of the carnival, Matty has loaded-up the final day with 11 stable runners and can give the car a massive shake. He needs two

Young Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams would have to be one of the nicest guys in racing, and after Uxorious' gutsy win in the time-honoured Wangoom Handicap yesterday, the one they call 'Beetroot' could be driving away in a $104k Mercedes-Benz. Suddenly a realistic contender in the 'Bool Trainer's Bonus, won last year by an ablaze Robert Smerdon on just the second day of the carnival, Matty has loaded-up the final day with 11 stable runners and can give the car a massive shake. He needs two winners and to my eye, his best chance is Pyrenees Express (15) in Race 7, to be ridden by D Oliver. This five-year-old mare made excellent late ground on the Heavy at Sandown last start behind Braided General and though it was her first exposure to wet ground, she appeared to revel in the going and should relish today's slow conditions. Chuck in stablemate Arrived (12) - who has never been out of the Quinella in four first up runs - and Beetroot might just have himself a couple of live chances. The heavily-backed Uxorious may have given 'Bool residents something to cheer about yesterday, but if Beetroot Williams manages to get the job done today, the party could even surpass last night's festivities, which, I'm told, were grueling.

As for the some of the other races, Aaron Purcell's local galloper Yokozuna is fast becoming what Chief De Beers was to Doomben (all 20 of his career wins there), or Dandy Kid was to the Valley (15 wins), and will give the 9th a massive shake. From 6 starts at the 'Bool Yokozuna has won five and finished second the other, but it is not only the record, but the arrogant manner in which it has been assembled that is so impressive. This horse is a home-body of the highest order, and if he manages to drag himself out of bed this morning and head out into the front yard, a win here should be as easy as bending down and picking up the daily paper. And finally, I think Michael O'Leary's good stayer Risk It All (15) can cause an upset at around 20's in the Cup. He enjoys slow tracks and can swoop home late on a deteroriating surface in a fast lane out wide.

Speaking of deteriorating, I was lucky enough to be in attendance for the first day (and more importantly, night!) of this utterly absorbing carnival, and must doff my cap to those equipped with the requisite staying power to back up three days (and more importantly, nights!) in a row. From the sketchy recesses of my memory and untrustworthy eyewitness accounts, a comprehensive Warrnambool Carnival review will be pieced together tomorrow afternoon, so stay tuned.