Day 2 of the Warrnambool Cup Carnival continues on Wednesday with the running of the Listed Wangoom Handicap over 1200m.
We’ve cast our eyes over the entire 10-race program and offer our best bets below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 11:20pm AEDT – Warrnambool City Volkswagen 2YO Handicap (1200m)
Competitive race to start the day, so I’m siding with the race-fit Jamarra on top.
This lightly-raced Duporth colt has finished runner-up in his last two starts, most recently at Caulfield where he showed a big turn of foot from midfield to finish only half a length off the winner.
There was a good gap back to third and I also like John Allen jumping back in the saddle from the low draw.
Race 2 – 11:50pm AEDT – Western District Electrical Services Maiden Plate (1400m)
Fairly deep race, but I’m with the favourite Life Lessons on top.
The Tavistock filly showed plenty on debut, overcoming a slow start at Sandown to run half a length second to one of Chris Waller’s smart types.
She’s drawn to get a similar run in transit under the in-form Blaike McDougall, while the fact she handled the soft conditions last time out also boasts well for her chances.
Race 3 – 12:20pm AEDT – Bottle-O Warrnambool 3YO Maiden Plate (1700m)
Eaglesaurus needs luck to go his way from the awkward draw, but on recent form, he’s a live chance.
Simon Zahra’s three-year-old stuck on well to run a place at Bendigo a couple of weeks ago, which is significant considering the track was rated a Heavy 10.
He was strong to the line the start prior at Benalla and should be plenty fit now for three runs back.
Up to 1700m also looks no issue.
Race 4 – 12:55pm AEDT – Warrnambool Greyhound Cup Tonight Maiden Plate (1700m)
Henry The Lion is racing like 1700m will suit at this stage of his prep.
Richard Cully’s four-year-old strips fitter for his first-up run where he made up good ground to run seventh at Stawell over 1300m.
He’ll need luck to go his way from the awkward alley, but his wet track form during his maiden prep last year does stand out.
Race 5 – 1:30pm AEDT – Decron Dunroe BM120 Steeplechase (3450m)
Happy to have Runaway on top in the first steeple race on the program.
The old boy by Manhattan Rain only weakened late in a hurdle race at Pakenham a few weeks ago, and I quite like the fact he’s had a soft trial in between starts.
He was equally impressive in the Echuca Cup two back and has won twice third-up from a spell in the past.
Race 6 – 2:05pm AEDT – Sovereign Resort Galleywood Hurdle (3200m)
This looks a lovely race for Out And Dreaming now that he has a run under his belt over 3200m.
The Street Boss five-year-old stuck on well for second after rolling forward at Pakenham last time out, while he was also an impressive winner at Terang two runs back over shorter in a BM58.
He should be plenty fit at this stage of his prep and the fact he’s proven over the track and distance, and on rain-affected tracks, is a big positive.
Race 7 – 2:45pm AEDT – Sinclair Wilson BM70 Handicap (1000m)
Tough to fault the recent form of McKeever ahead of his return to his home track.
The draw is against him, but Symon Wilde’s four-year-old has won two of his last three starts and is also coming off an impressive performance at Stawell where he stuck on well for second over a touch further.
Back to 1000m should suit and Linda Meech seems to have a strong rapport with the horse.
Race 8 – 3:20pm AEDT – The Midfield Group Wangoom Handicap (1200m)
We’re getting a nice price for Poland in what is another exceptional edition of the Wangoom.
This son of So You Think has mixed his form this time in work, but he should find this a touch easier than his latest run in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap over 1400m at Caulfield.
His run the start prior at Bendigo was strong and I think getting back to 1200m will suit now with race fitness on his side. Has placed on soft and heavy going before and he takes a similar leadup to Yesterday’s Songs, who won this race back in 2016 for Michael Moroney.
Race 9 – 4:00pm AEDT – Prydes EasiFeed BM70 Handicap (1400m)
It’s been all one-way traffic for Visinari and it’s not hard to see why.
It’s a small sample size, but the French import has seemingly gone to another level since transitioning to the Price and Kent Jr stable, winning his first race in Australia a few weeks ago by a whopping seven-length margin at Pakenham.
He might be a little on the short side in betting, but the sectionals he clocked were impressive and there’s still a lot of improvement to come.
Race 10 – 4:30pm AEDT – Whalers Hotel BM64 Handicap (1700m)
We’re getting a nice price here for Sachem in the last.
Matthew Williams’ lightly-raced three-year-old was strong to the line first-up at Geelong and is worth forgiving on his latest start at Caulfield where the rails run really didn’t suit.
He should find this a touch easier back in class, and with a couple of runs under his belt now and Jamie Kah steering, I’m confident he’ll bounce back.
