The 2026 Melbourne Cup can’t come around quick enough for Warrnambool’s Peter “Cork” Walsh.
Walsh was trackside at Flemington to watch imported galloper Middle Earth, a horse he part-owns, run third behind Half Yours and Goodie Two Shoes in last week’s Melbourne Cup. 
The former publican at Warrnambool’s Mac’s Hotel was over the moon with the performance.
“It was a huge thrill,” Walsh said. 
“I’ve got a small share in him with my good friend Geoff McLaren. Geoff and I were both delighted. 
“It was a huge effort considering it was his first Australian preparation. I’d think there’s a lot of improvement in him. We’re confident he’ll come back a much stronger horse in 2026. 
“Ciaron’s going to give him a break now. He might run him in the Sydney Cup or the Doomben Cup next autumn but his main goal will be the 2026 Melbourne Cup.”
Middle Earth was Walsh’s fourth Melbourne Cup runner and his best result so far.
“I thought at about the 300-metre mark he’d be right in the finish but Half Yours was just too strong.”
The lightly raced six-year-old picked up $560,000 for his third placing.
Haymes lock it in
Haymes Paint has extended its sponsorship of Warrnambool’s Jericho Cup for another three years.
The company was the inaugural naming-rights sponsor of Australia’s longest flat race, first run in 2018.
Sales director Matthew Haymes said the company was proud to extend its partnership.
Tickets and packages are still available for this year’s Jericho Cup, to be run on Sunday November 30.
Swish, swish, Snitch 
Super Snitch made it back-to-back wins for Tower Hill trainer Pat McKenna with his victory in the AME Systems BM66 Handicap (1600m) at Ararat last Sunday.
Super Snitch ($6) was coming off a benchmark 62 win at Warrnambool on October 30. Teo Nugent was his rider both times.
“It was a good win,” McKenna said. “He came from well back in the field before finishing the race off strongly.”
McKenna added the seven-year-old might have his next start at Warrnambool on Jericho Cup day.
Jericho suits dour Guido
Dour stayer Guido raced into contention for the Jericho Cup with his heat win over 4000 metres at the Ararat meeting.
With Josh Parker in the saddle, Guido ($4.80) beat Salsita by 2¼ lengths in the Ararat RSL Sir Brudenell White BM70 Highweight Handicap. 
Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman, formerly based in Warrnambool, is looking forward to the Jericho Cup.
“He’s just a one-pacer,” he said. “He’s had a few issues during his career but he’s over them. 
“We’ve set him for the Jericho. He stays all day and shouldn’t have a concern with the 4600 metres.”
From his 26 starts Gildo has won five races and $155,425.
Miss too fast
Speedy Warrnambool filly Romantic Miss broke her maiden status at her fifth start with an impressive effort at Ararat.
The Tom Dabernig-trained $1.80 favourite led all the way under Linda Meech to beat Bundorian by 4¼ lengths over 1100 metres.
Dabernig said the lightly raced filly deserved the victory.
“We’ve always had a good opinion of her,” he said. “She should have won a maiden before this but she’s just taken a bit of time. I’m confident now she’s won her maiden she’ll win more races.”
Romantic Miss took her earnings to $42,655 with Sunday’s victory.
Black-bookers
• Hughie’s Spirit: Good effort to run second in maiden company at huge odds on Sunday. Shayne Fisher’s five-year-old might be ready to reward his connections’ patience at start number 25. 
• Crafty Boss: The Geoff Withers-trained chestnut showed he’s not far away from a fifth win with his second placing at Ararat. He’s had three runs from a spell and once he strikes form he tends to hold it.