WILLIE McCarthy and Ciaron Maher have combined with the Irish-bred Stern Idol to take out the first feature race of Warrnambool’s May carnival, the A$175,000 Brierly Steeplechase over 3,450 metres.

The Raven’s Pass gelding with 73kgs to shoulder, controlled the race from the front with McCarthy having him two to three lengths out in front for the majority of the race.