Wez Hunter won with another God’s Own when Warrnambool’s annual carnival kicked off on Tuesday.

The Mornington trainer prepared promising three year-old Mio Dio to a clear-cut victory in the Choices Flooring-Swintons Hcp (1100m).

Mio Dio (3g God’s Own – Hageabi by Scenic) was racing first-up after a six-month spell and relished the Heavy 10 under jockey Jamie Mott to score by three lengths.  “He goes alright this bloke,” Hunter said.  “Jamie cut the corner and then went for home.”

The winner is from a half-sister to Group 3 winning mudlark Emlozza (Encosta de Lago).

“I love Warrnambool and have been coming to the carnival since I was a kid,” Hunter said.  “Mio Dio won his maiden here on a Heavy 10 last year.”

Hunter also trains God’s Own stakes performer Bel Thor who can return to form on a rain-affected track in the LR Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on Thursday.  He will be coming off unplaced runs at Moonee Valley and Sandown but was second to Fat Al in the LR Golden Mile at Bendigo in March.

Bel Thor (4g God’s Own – Bellonic by Redding) was a Flemington winner at last year’s spring carnival and he followed up with a Group 3 placing in the Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield.

Another God’s Own in work with Hunter is former Brisbane galloper Sons Of God.  He won an Echuca maiden for Dan O’Sullivan before transferring to north for three wins at Eagle Farm under the care of Rob Heathcote.

Sons Of God (6g God’s Own – Lucky Punch by Celtic Swing) races for a partnership managed by Wayne Sayers and he will appreciate a program that takes advantage of Hunter’s proximity to Balnarring Beach.

God’s Own (Redoute’s Choice) is based at Greta West Stud and he sired 13 individual winners in April.  His overall total this season is 75 winners of 110 races and the only Victorian based stallion above him in that category is Bel Esprit.