Warrnambool’s Paul Farley last week shared his good-luck story with people from across Victoria’s south west. 
Farley, who owns a five-percent share in the 2025 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, visited locations including Lyndoch, Emmanuel College, Merri Special School and Port Fairy’s Moyneyana House with the iconic cup trophies.
“It was a busy few days but very enjoyable — a bit of a nerve-racking time as both trophies are worth a lot of money,” he said. 
“I must admit it was very rewarding to watch the looks on people’s faces getting their chance to be up close to both cups and getting their photos taken.”
Half Yours was bred at Woolsthorpe by the late Colin McKenna and his wife Janice. Farley got his chance to buy into the St Jean gelding after father-son trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy bought him in a dispersal sale of some of McKenna’s racing stock on his passing in October 2024.
“I still have to pinch myself to think I’ve been in the ownership group of a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner,” Farley said. 
“It’s been a whirlwind few months for me and the other connections. Fingers crossed there might be a few more wins, but I can’t complain if he doesn’t win another race. I’ve had an amazing ride.”
Half Yours is back in light work at McEvoy’s Flemington stables and being set for a first-up tilt at the All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 18. 
The Cox Plate and another start in the Melbourne Cup are on the cards for the lightly raced five-year-old in his six-year-old spring. 
Cann in demand?
The sudden departure of Peter Downs as chief executive officer at the Ballarat Turf Club may have implications for the Warrnambool Racing Club. 
Downs left the Ballarat job immediately after tendering his resignation last week. The BTC has commenced its search for a replacement and undoubtedly Warrnambool CEO Luke Cann will be on their radar.
Cann replaced Tom O’Connor as Warrnambool CEO in May 2023, having been operations manager at the club for six months. The father of two is highly respected in the racing industry for his work at WRC.
Cann declined to comment this week on whether he would be an applicant for the Ballarat job.
Elle leads Wilde team
With the 2026 jumps season only weeks away, top Warrnmbool trainer Symon Wilde has high hopes for another successful year.
Wilde, who has won three Grand Annual Steeplechases at his home track, says he has eight horses preparing for the season.
“I’m really happy with how our jumpers are progressing,” he said. 
“We’ve got a good group. I suppose the main one would have to be Enchanted Elle (winner of her last three jumps starts including the Houlahan Hurdle). 
“We’ll probably look at running her in either the novice hurdle or the Galleywood Hurdle at the (Warrnambool) May carnival. I’m sure she’s up to that class.”
Gold Medals won the 2018 and 2021 Grand Annuals for Wilde while Count Zero took it out for him in 2024. 
Farmers flock to Terang
Proceeds from a five-percent share in an unraced two-year-old colt to be auctioned at Terang’s meeting this Friday will go to Myeloma Australia. 
The Terang Racing Club is in the second year of a three-year agreement with Myeloma Australia, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to assisting people living with myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. 
The auction forms part of the club’s farmers’ day, with more than 250 farmers on course.
“The farmers’ day meeting is always a great day,” said club manager Karen Van Kempen said. “It allows farmers to forget the farm for a few hours and mix with other people from the rural sector. 
“We’ve got to thank (Ballarat trainer) Henry Dwyer for putting up the share in a two-year-old for auction. Henry will cover the training costs for the colt for three years, which is a wonderful gesture. 
“The money raised is going to a wonderful cause. We’re just glad to be able to assist.”
The Terang track has had a renovation since the club last raced on Monday January 12, and has been extensively watered in recent weeks.