New Zealand-bred The Storyteller wins at the 'Bool.
The Storyteller (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) took out the feature hurdle, the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) on Wednesday.
Ridden by Luca Remondet who rode his second winner of the Galleywood having partnered Chains Of Honour to victory in 2024 for Ciaron Maher.
Trainer John Leek said it was apt that both Fengarada and The Storyteller should both win at Warrnambool.
"This really had to happen," Leek said.
"Fengarada and The Storyteller have been flying. They've been breaking a minute for 1000 metres in trackwork.
"It's fantastic for young Luca. We drill him every day. We give him a hard time to get him to improve and he's improving every day.
"I know I can be very hard, and you only have to ask Luca that, but I've had some great jockeys over my time, Mick Patton, Brian Constable.
"They worked for me, and I've never told Luca this, but I made them into jockeys, and I hope Luca puts up with the tough love and we get back here next year and do it again."
Sent out the well-back $3.10 second favourite, The Storyteller held off the $2.10 favourite Highland Blaze to score by 1-¼ lengths with Karburan a further 15 lengths away third.
Remondet started working for Leek around 12 months ago and the Warrnambool jumps double were his first two winners for the trainer.
"I cannot thank him enough," Remondet said.
"He is at me all-the-time. I've been with him a year now and we've been building confidence all-the-time.
"The tactics were to get him to relax behind horses, but it didn't happen. He was very keen behind horses, and I tried to manage him as best I could.
"At the top of the backstraight I had to let him find his action at his jumps, which he did, and at the same time he never stopped.
"From the first time I rode him, I said to John that he is the best horse in your stable, and that will never change in my mind.
"I love him."
The Storyteller was bred by The Oaks Stud and won one race in New Zealand for trainer Stephen Marsh before making the move across the Tasman. The five-year-old gelding has now won seven races in his career and amassed more than $300,000 in prizemoney.
