The Warrnambool Cup rounds out Day 3 of the Carnival this Thursday with a talented field stepping out in the staying feature.
The $350,000 Grand Annual Steeple Chase will also take place on the 10-race program, and our best bets for the entire meeting can be found below.
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Race 1 – 11:15pm AEDT – Hammonds Paints Champion Novice Hurdle (3200m)
Back out to 3200m should suit Blandford Lad at this stage of his prep.
The six-year-old son of Savabeel won over this trip at Pakenham two runs back before struggling to make up ground five-wide at Sandown back to 2400m last week.
Peter Gelagatois’ gelding has finished top four on both occasions when racing on the quick backup, and with some strong soft track form to his name, he should be adding to that record.
Race 2 – 11:45pm AEDT – Super Vobis Three-Years BM70 Handicap (1400m)
Deep race, but I can’t go past Michael Moroney’s lightly-raced three-year-old Ceasar.
The son of Proisir hasn’t missed the frame this prep, running back-to-back runner-ups at Pakenham before breaking through to score narrowly at Sandown in his latest.
The Kiwi import bolted in along the rail, and the way he finished through the line suggested he’ll handle the rise back up to 1400m. Most importantly though, he loves some sting out of the track.
Race 3 – 12:15pm AEDT – The Standard BM78 Handicap (1100m)
Fiery Red doesn’t win out of turn, but he does run an honest race more often than not.
That has so far been the case in his return to work, running third and second at Sandown in both runs back – two performances he can improve on with Jordan Childs dropping 4kg’s in the saddle.
The son of Pierro has handled rain-affected tracks in the past and he should take some catching on speed.
Race 4 – 12:45pm AEDT – Catanach’s Jewellers F&M BM70 Handicap (1400m)
Don’t mind the look of Stratessa here in another open race.
The daughter of Stratum flew home to score by a length at Kyneton last time out, her second win from her last three starts.
She was good here at the ‘Bool three runs back winning over the track and distance and she does own a couple of wins on soft going.
Drawn low and with Will Price’s claim put to good use, the double-figure odds might be overs.
Race 5 – 1:15pm AEDT – Ludeman Real Estate BM64 Handicap (2000m)
Happy to take a flyer on Fabalot here in his second run back.
The five-year-old by Camelot finished off only fairly on a Heavy 10 at Geelong a few weeks ago, a run he can certainly improve back on firmer footing and out over further.
He won by a whopping five-length margin here at the ‘Bool last November and has a couple of wins to his name over further. Providing he gets some luck from the barrier, he’s in with an each-way chance.
Race 6 – 1:50pm AEDT – Evergreen Turf Neville Wilson Series Final (1700m)
Worsfold was impressive first-up at Pakenham running a nose second to Reuber over the mile.
The son of Shamus Award boxed on nicely after rolling forward and gets the blinkers on again looking to gone one better over a touch further.
He’s missed the money only twice from seven starts on soft going and has also done some of his best racing at this stage of his prep.
Race 7 – 2:30pm AEDT – Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m)
We’re getting a nice price here for Britannicus, who is three weeks between his last-start fourth at Pakenham in the Memorial Steeple over 3500m.
Symon Wilde’s seven-year-old is untried over this journey, but he has been showing signs of wanting further after winning by 4.5L here at the ‘Bool back in March.
His soft track form checks out, and he should be in this for a long way.
Race 8 – 3:15pm AEDT – KIA Handicap (1400m)
Hard to knock what Tuvalu has produced during his short career.
The Kermadec four-year-old won first-up over the track and distance by 3.5L before tackling Flemington nearly a month later where he ran a clear second to Gentleman Roy over the mile.
There was a good gap back to third that day and kept fresh for the run, I think he’ll be hard to hold out with Jarrod Fry retaining the ride.
Race 9 – 3:55pm AEDT – Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m)
The feature of the Carnival has attracted a typically strong field of stayers with $300,000 on the line.
Victoria Derby winner Warning is among the standouts, but he’ll need to produce something special if he is to knock off last-start Vobis Gold Heath winner Grandslam.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained four-year-old owns an elite record over these types of trips, most notably winning the Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley last year with a third in the Caulfield Guineas also on the resume.
He’d probably like the track a little drier, but drawn well and with Jamie Kah engaged, he’s the one they all have to beat.
Race 10 – 4:30pm AEDT – No Fuss Event Hire BM64 Handicap (1300m)
Peidra has been a frustrating horse to follow at times, particularly over this trip where he’s had three starts for zero placings.
Still, he does have the win on the board here at Warrnambool, while his recent efforts at Bendigo and Sandown suggest something special might be around the corner.
The son of Pierro battled on well to run third last time out and is now five weeks between runs.
He’s typically raced well fresh, and from barrier 4, John Allen should have no problem getting back and running on.
