Valediction best backed ahead of Brierly

Gai Waterhouse makes her annual trek to Warrnambool for the three-day carnival and has one of the best-backed runners on the opening day.

Valediction has been backed from $5.50 to $3.60 to take out the feature race on Tuesday, the Brierly Steeplechase.

A previous winner over hurdles at the track, Valediction is one of two runners the Sydney trainer will have at the three-day meeting.

If he performs up to expectations, Valediction will front up again in the gruelling 5500m Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday.

Stablemate, Cafe Society, is topweight in Thursday's Warrnambool Cup.