The Warrnambool May Racing Carnival is here! The three-day event attracts thousands of racing fans to view Australasia’s best jumpers! Widely known as Australia’s premier country racing event, ‘The Bool’ should be on all sporting and racing fans’ bucket lists. The Brierly Steeplechase is the feature event on day one, and with ten tricky and competitive races on the program, the opening day could make or break your week!
Warrnambool Race 6
#7 Valac
Valac is racing in great spirit as a rising twelve-year-old. The Dark Angel gelding has trialled exceptionally well leading into this event and is building an impressive record over the jumps. He has been competitive in some of Australia’s longest races, and the wet conditions play in his favour. The Steven Pateman polish must be respected, and I expect his quote to reduce significantly before the barriers open.
Inayforhay is knocking on the door! His two runs this preparation have been great without threatening, and he is ready to produce a peak performance third-up from a spell. His record over the jumps is near perfect, and he can win on Tuesday if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the middle stages. Being untested at the trip is the primary concern.
Flying Agent has been well-backed since markets opened. The Raise The Flag gelding strips fitter here after a teasing run at Bendigo and a recent barrier trial should have him cherry ripe for this assignment. The allocated weight and wide gate are the biggest concerns.
Suggested Bet: Valac @ $3.00
Warrnambool RACE 7
#14 Festivus
Festivus broke through last start for a deserved win at Stawell over 2700m. The Teofilo gelding has been freshened up since, and a recent barrier trial at Terang has kept the legs ticking over in preparation for this event. The drop back in the distance is advantageous, and he should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his campaign. The class rise is the primary concern.
Feuermond produced an eye-catching performance at Mornington last start. He savaged the line against the pattern for the day and broke the clock in the process. The Sea The Moon gelding is ready for the long journey, and if the track deteriorates further, his price will shorten significantly.
Boyszee will start favourite after several recent near misses. The Rebel Raider gelding has been outstanding without winning, and with the good run in transit, he will get his chance to break through. The wetter, the better for the Maher and Eustace trained five-year-old, and I expect this event has been a long-range target.
Suggested Bet: Festivus @ $6.00
Warrnambool Race 8
#1 Kissinger
Kissinger can run a big race first-up at a reasonable price! The Tavistock gelding finds form early in his preparations and looks well-placed in this grade. The soft conditions will suit, and the apprentice claim could prove a winning move. Over the odds!
Daytona Bay will start favourite despite becoming expensive to follow this preparation for punters. The American Pharoah gelding is always thereabouts, and he looks perfectly placed and weighted against easier opposition. He should get the run of the race from barrier four, and if the gaps appear on straitening, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Rolls is having a consistent preparation. The Anacheeva gelding won well second-up at Oakbank and was luckless at a crucial stage last start at Sandown. From a middle gate, he can bounce on top of the speed, and if he can control the tempo throughout, he will look the winner at the top of the home straight.
Suggested Bet: Kissinger @ $16.00
Warrnambool Race 9
#8 Versilia
Versilia is a genuine fresh performer. The Snitzel mare always runs well early in her campaigns, and she looks well placed, dropping back to Benchmark 70 level. From barrier two, I expect her to roll forward, and if she is fully wound up for a first-up tilt, she may prove hard to run down. The winning record is the primary concern.
Hooah Havana will start favourite after winning both races impressively this preparation. The War Chant colt looks to have further natural improvement to come, and I expect him to go through his grades during the winter months. He is undefeated at the track and looks like a 1200m specialist. If he can find cover from the middle gate, I expect him to make his presence felt late.
Duchess Of Dorset will have supporters after three threatening runs this preparation. The Canford Cliffs mare looks well placed in this grade and ready to peak fourth-up from a spell. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference, and the sting out of the ground brings her into all winning calculations.
Suggested Bet: Versilia @ $6.50
