Pull yourself together after a big Day 1 as the iconic Warrnambool May Carnival is a marathon, not a sprint and Day 2, Galleywood Hurdle Day is upon us this Wednesday.
Ten races are scheduled to be run and won, headlined by the Galleywood Hurdle for the jumpers and the Listed Wangoom Handicap for the sprint stars.
I’m bullish about the chances of the favourite in the jumps feature and I think you’ll be surprised at the price of a runner I like from the popular Hayes stable later in the day.
After careful deliberation and deep analysis, you can find my selections for every race on Galleywood Hurdle Day below.
This is a tough way to start Galleywood Hurdle Day with most of these two-year-olds on debut.
Arizona Luck (7) is one of the debutants and looks ready for a bold showing following two jump outs and a trial.
The Symon Wilde-trained filly showed good speed in her first two jump outs where she raced on speed to finish second before being taught to settle at the back before working to the line well with plenty to give in her most recent piece of work.
She’s drawn perfectly in barrier 2 for Linda Meech who should settle in a prominent position with the winkers going on.
1 Unit – Arizona Luck (7)
Vianarra (6) is still a maiden after 15 starts but over half of them have been at black-type level so the statistic is a touch misleading.
The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding has come back this preparation in good form with back-to-back Pakenham 1400m placings.
He was forced to work early to settle outside the lead first-up and that took a toll late with him finishing a length third.
Last start he was caught three-wide in the run but still fought bravely to finish a neck second.
Blake Shinn is back in the irons and can give his mount every chance from the inside barrier.
1 Unit – Vianarra (6)
Rhooky (4) interestingly debuts here over 1700m but I think he’s up to the task.
The Symon Wilde-trained son of Raise The Flag has had two jump outs this campaign, working strongly to the line after falling out of the gates last in his first piece of work.
However, it was his most recent hit out over 1300m at Ararat where he jumped to the front and gapped his rivals by 18 lengths that suggests to me that he’s capable of a big debut performance.
Blinkers go on signaling intent and Linda Meech rolling forward from an outside barrier.
1 Unit – Rhooky (4)
Nelson (2) returns to the races for the first time since falling over this course and distance in March last year.
The son of Frankel has been prepared well for his comeback by having several trials with his most recent proving to be an excellent piece of work.
Steve Pateman, who rides here, went straight to the front in the 2800m steeple trial and really gave him a solid work out to win by 10 lengths eased down.
He should enjoy a nice run and hopefully we see him return to his best.
1 Unit – Nelson (2)
Devoted Poet (2) ran very well when resuming from a 90-week spell over 1600m at Terang two starts ago.
The Shane Jackson-trained gelding settled handy and found the front in the straight, but understandably condition gave out late and he was run down to finish a half-length second.
Unfortunately, he was never on the track last start at Terang and I suspect he raced a touch flat second-up after such a long break, so I’m prepared to forgive him for finishing 6.1 lengths sixth.
He will strip fitter third-up and maps to get a great run.
1 Unit – Devoted Poet (2)
Affluential (2) suffered his first loss in five starts over the jumps two starts ago when suffering from cardiac arrythmia.
The John Leek Jnr-trained gelding bounced back on the flat last start over 2500m at Flemington where he let down powerfully from the back to win by a nose.
He won his only previous start over this course and distance which was his maiden hurdle during this Carnival last year.
He’s rock hard fit and looks hard to beat in this year’s Galleywood Hurdle.
2 Units – Affluential (2)
Fully Calculated (9) was caught wide last start over 1000m at Caulfield Heath so did well to finish 2.5 lengths fourth.
The Team Hayes-trained filly was very good two starts back when charging home to win by 1.5 lengths over this distance at Sale.
Prior to that she kicked off her preparation with a close second to the undefeated Prove and took ground off metropolitan horse Mckeyla second-up.
Dakota Keane, who claims 2kg, shouldn’t have any issue with bad luck given she’s drawn to get a sweet run from the inside gate.
1 Unit Each Way – Fuly Calculated (9)
Hedged (3) looks well placed to claim this year’s Listed Wangoom Handicap.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding ran a great race last start in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington where he found the line well to finish just over a half-length third to The Instructor.
He meets the winner 2kg better at the weights and wanted to overdo it so a cross-over nose band will go on.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should enjoy a great run just off the speed for Ben Melham.
1 Unit – Hedged (3)
Cleitus (12) returned in good order last start over 1400m at Terang.
The Symon Wilde-trained gelding settled back after a slow start before running on strongly down the outside to finish just under a length second.
He’ll strip fitter and boasts an excellent second-up record of two wins and a second from three second-up races which includes a strong win over a mile last preparation.
The rise in distance suits and he maps to get a nice run on speed for Luke Currie.
1 Unit – Cleitus (12)
Persian Spirit (10) was unlucky not to win over 1100m here first-up when despite a wide run he let down strongly to miss the win by a head.
The Simon Wilde-trained gelding was heavily backed last start at Terang and looked the winner only to be run down late by Luna Cat who had an easier run and is a Wangoom Handicap contender.
He’ll appreciate dropping back in class and will strip fitter third-up.
He’s never been out of the top three in his 10 starts and looks well placed to continue that record here.
1 Unit – Persian Spirit (10)