MASTER of Arts has given Ballarat trainer Darren Weir his third consecutive Warrnambool Cup.
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The cup also completed a double for Weir and his biggest winning haul at the three-day Warrnambool May Carnival.
Weir opened with a quartet on Tuesday and had a double on Wednesday to give him eight successes.
Master Of Arts follows Warrnambool Cup successes with Akzar in 2014 and Tall Ships last year.
Ridden by Dean Yendall, Master Of Arts ($8) scored from Vilanova ($31), with Swacadelic ($5.50) third.
“These are the races you set horses for," Weir said.
"The jumpers, the Wangoom and the Cup are the main races and then you just run anything else that is around at the time in the other races.
"We had plenty of runners, but at this carnival it's very hard to win."
Weir had three runners in Thursday's Cup with Master Of Arts the least fancied of the trio.
Master Zephyr was sent out the $3 favourite before finishing fourth and Falago ($7.50) was seventh.
"It's great for this horse to win for Paul and Angela Fudge who are big supporters of ours," Weir said.
"Paul came up and had a look around and they ended up sending me a couple of horses.
"They have beautifully bred horses and deserve all the success they get."
Weir said Master Of Arts could return to Queensland this winter and be set for the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast.
Master Of Arts headed to Brisbane last year for the Queensland Derby, but had his campaign cut short by a knee problem after running third in the Grand Prix Stakes.
MEMORIES of a previous win came flooding back for all the wrong reasons for trainer Patrick Payne as No Song No Supper ($5) captured the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool.
Awakening Dream took out the 2012 edition of Australia's longest and toughest race over 33 obstacles, only for Payne to notice the jumper was unsteady on his feet.
Unseasonably warm weather on Thursday saw also left No Song No Supper in fatigued state after completing the 5500m journey.
Payne rushed No Song No Supper off to the wash bay area where for the next 15 minutes he poured water over the horse's head in a bid to reduce the gelding's temperature.
"He's tried really hard and pulled up with a bit of heat stress," Payne said.
"What happens is the blood is too hot going to his brain, but as soon as you cool the arteries they're okay. Awakening Dream did it a couple of years ago and when I saw this horse get a bit wobbly I thought it's the same thing."
Irishman Richard Cully, who has been in Australia for four seasons, had the winning ride.