The Warrnambool May Racing Carnival reaches its final day, Warrnambool Cup Day this Thursday, with a 10-race program set to close out one of Australia’s most iconic country meetings.
Headlining the 10-race card are the Warrnambool Cup and the Grand National Steeplechase, where Duke Of Bedford will look to defend his title.
Conditions are expected to play a major role. Rain through Wednesday and further showers and wind on Thursday could see the track in the heavy range and likely deteriorating after two days of racing.
It shapes as a tough, testing finale where proven wet-track performers will be at a premium.
Who handles the conditions best? Dive in for the full preview and tips.
GOLDEN CRUSADER (1) has a class edge on the flat, but he’s started his jumping career in perfect fashion.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding proved too strong last start over 3200m at Terang last start where he pulled away late after being involved in a battle for the lead to win by four lengths.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and ended last preparation with a massive nine-length win over a similar distance at Ballarat in his first jumps race.
Both jumps wins came on heavy tracks, and Steven Pateman should be able to control the speed.
| 1. Golden Crusader (4) 69kg71×01 |
FLYING CAPITAL (3) was no match for Cabriole on debut at Geelong but worked home well to finish 5.5 lengths second.
Cabriole looks above average having won his next start by 2.75 lengths at Sale.
The Tom Dabernig-trained gelding will be better for the experience and gets blinkers for the first time.
Top front running jockey Linda Meech will make use of the good gate and either lead or box seat.
| 3. Flying Capital (2) 59.5kg2 |
DANZSIN (2) returned in great order last start with a win over 1300m at Stawell.
The Tom Dabernig-trained gelding sat outside the lead before dashing clear late to win by 1.25 lengths.
He races well on his home track and boasts a four-length victory over this course and distance in heavy conditions at just his third start.
He’s lightly raced and should enjoy a nice run for Linda Meech from the inside barrier.
| 2. Danzsin (1) 58kg919×1 |
BEAUTIFULLY (6) has come back in her second preparation in good shape with two wins from three starts.
The Busuttin & Young-trained filly proved too strong first-up at Terang before a slow start was costly second-up on the Hillside track.
She bounced back to winning form last start at Cranbourne where she produced a career best to salute by 1.5 lengths over this distance after working early from the wide gate to find the lead.
That was on a rain-affected track so she’ll appreciate this surface and Jackson Radley’s 2kg claim helps.
| 6. Beautifully (6) 58kg0x141 |
ELEANOR DUMONT (8) has been loving the wet tracks lately and should be right at home here.
The Patrick Payne-trained mare gave her rivals a galloping lesson in the heavy conditions at Terang last start where she led all the way over 1600m to win by 3.25 lengths.
She won her only previous race at the track when saluting in heavy conditions after racing three-wide throughout over 1400m.
A recent tickover jump out will have kept her up to the mark and with a bit of luck from the tricky gate, she’ll be fighting out the finish.
| 8. Eleanor Dumont (9) 58kg12×11 |
NIGHTIME STAR (11) caught the eye when resuming over 1000m on the Lakeside track.
The Tom Dabernig-trained mare was forced to settle at the tail from the wide gate before rocketing home through the pack to finish 3.55 lengths fifth.
She’ll strip fitter and loves racing on her home track having won two of three starts, including second-up last preparation.
Linda Meech will look to drive forward early to make use of the low draw.
| 11. Nightime Star (2) 54kg319×5 |
DUKE OF BEDFORD (2) returns to The ‘Bool looking to defend his 2025 Grand Annual Steeplechase title.
The Andrew Bobbin-trained gelding has a May Carnival to remember when he won the Stewart Brierly Steeplechase on the Tuesday before romping in by 12 lengths in the Grand Annual.
This is the first time he’s been in a jumps race since then, but he warmed up with a recent 10-length trial over 2800m here where he looked at his best.
He’s raced well in three flat races leading into this, so he has a good level of fitness.
| 2. Duke Of Bedford (6) 68kg1×224 |
SIR ATLAS (4) returns from a short let-up after charging home to win the Country Mile Series Final at Caulfield.
The Lindsey Smith-trained gelding is looking for his third win in a row after proving to be a class above two starts ago at Wangaratta.
Early in his career, Warrnambool was his home base and he won his only previous race over this course and distance.
A recent jump out where he settled last and worked strongly to the line will have him ready to fire.
While a mile is probably his pet distance, he will appreciate the strong speed and will fly late.
| 4. Sir Atlas (7)SCRATCHED: | |||
ALDER (6) is racing in great form particularly on wet tracks.
The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding was stiff not to finish closer than 2.75 lengths second to Zakouma over 2000m at Flemington two starts ago when held up at a crucial time.
He showed great toughness last start in the Terang Cup where he fought tooth and nail up the straight with Khor to win by a neck.
He drops to 54kg, 3kg less than last start, and while the wide barrier isn’t ideal, he was able to overcome it last start.
| 6. Alder (11) 54kg2×421 |
What’s the time? It’s Big Rooster time! There’s a blast from the past but hopefully we’re yelling that after the final race of the Warrnambool Carnival and maybe even enjoying a Hawaiian pack.
BIG ROOSTER (11) produced an excellent performance to win over 1200m at Terang first-up.
The Symon Wilde-trained gelding settled back after drawing wide before powering through the heavy conditions to win by three-quarters of a length.
He’s only had the three starts so has plenty of upside and will strip fitter second-up.
Once again, he’ll start from wide out but that should enable him to get to the outside and power home.
| 11. Big Rooster (7) 59.5kg24×1 |