Warrnambool and Canterbury Park are the main metropolitan meetings this Wednesday. With the Wangoom Handicap the feature event on day two of the annual Warrnambool carnival, and with a large crowd expected, racing in May has never looked so good!
Warrnambool Race 6
#8 Bedford
Bedford is knocking on the door. The Tavistock gelding looked sharp when winning a recent hurdle trial, and he was game in defeat in the Grand National hurdle at the end of his last campaign. His form over the jumps is ultra-consistent, and the rising eleven-year-old is still enjoying his racing. His record at 3200m must be respected, and with even luck in transit, he will be there when the whips are cracking.
The Mighty Spar will have supporters after producing a rock-solid preparation to date. The Savabeel gelding was good without winning at Pakenham at his latest outing, and I suspect the flashy Kiwi is ready to explode. He should get the gun run throughout from a perfect inside draw, and he comes into all winning calculations with his allocated weight. His record at the distance is the primary concern.
Fabalot turned heads at his latest outing. The Camelot gelding has recaptured his previous form, and the step out in trip here looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. The predicted track conditions will suit, and there has been a flood of money for the big boy in early betting. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of luck.
Suggested Bet: Bedford @ $4.00
Warrnambool RACE 8
#16 Is It Me
Is It Me made a brilliant return to racing first-up at Bendigo. The Iffraaj gelding raced well against the track bias, and if it weren’t for the carpark draw, he would have figured in the finish. He can sit closer in the run from a perfect inside draw on Wednesday, and he traditionally sprouts wings second-up at the distance. The 54kg is luxurious, and his versatility allows him to perform well on all surfaces. Over the odds!
Midtown Boss gave his opposition windburn at Flemington at his latest. The Street Boss gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he boasts impressive form around Group 1 placed Johhny Rocker. From the perfect inside draw, he will roll forward and take up a prominent role, and if he can produce one more peak run for the campaign, he may prove hard to run down. The step up in grade and the length of his preparation are among the primary concerns. Happy to take on.
It’sourtime is racing better than his form suggests. The Group 1 competitive Time For War gelding has bombed the start at both outings this campaign; however, he has still managed to record blistering late sectionals and finish on the heels of the peloton. His best performance would win in this easing down, and he has been specked at a price since the market opened. I’d prefer to see him at headquarters over the straight-six furlongs.
Suggested Bet: Is It Me @ $10.00
Canterbury Park Race 4
#1 Kings Valley
Kings Valley was good without winning fresh. The Territories colt put the writing on the wall for a big preparation ahead, and he looks very talented and progressive. The 1550m suits second-up, and he is drawn to get a soft run in transit. His form from England reads incredibly well for this event, and the Ciaron Maher factor should never be underestimated. Hard to toss!
Glebe is ready to win. Both runs this preparation have been good without threatening, and she looks dangerous jumping from barrier two. The Savabeel filly will occupy the box seat throughout, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, I expect her to make her presence felt late. The Waller and McDonald’s combination will attract market support before the barriers open.
Kotaishi is rock-hard fit and ready to win. The Snitzel gelding has been thereabouts all campaign, and he has been luckless at crucial stages. He will roll forward and pilot the field from the middle gate, and if he is left to his own devices, he can lead the field a merry dance. I suspect he has the fitness edge on his rivals, and he will look the winner on straightening. The final furlong will be the acid test.
Suggested Bet: Kings Valley @ $3.00
Canterbury Park Race 6
#4 Jewellery
Jewellery can resume a winner. The Godolphin mare has looked good at the trials, and her first-up record must be respected. The 1100m is ideal fresh, and she been supported in early betting. From barrier two, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the early stages of the race, she can loom to win late. The long layoff from racing is the primary concern.
Luna Rocks is over the odds. The Hellbent mare savaged the line at her latest outing, and she strips fitter for her second-up assignment. She has plenty of options from barrier one, and she deserves her shot at this level on Wednesday. If the predicted rain falls, I suspect her quote will shorten significantly, and her rivals may have sleepless nights. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Queen Of The Mile is the class runner of the field. The 2kg apprentice claim brings the Written Tycoon filly into winning calculations, and she looks well placed in this company. She is undefeated second-up, and her record at the trip is outrageous. The carpark draw is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Jewellery @ $5.00
