The curtain will come down on the 2024 Warrnambool Carnival this Thursday with a 10-race Cup Day program.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The meeting is headlined by the Listed Warrnambool Cup where Rolls will look to go back-to-back and the time-honoured Grand Annual Steeplechase with $400k in prize money is on the line.
We've immersed ourselves in the form at The 'Bool and provided our top picks in each race below.
RACE 1 - 11:15AM: Novice Hurdle (3200 METRES)
Affluential (7) enters this Novice Hurdle in terrific form.
The John Leek Jnr-trained five-year-old gelding impressed in his first start over the jumps two starts ago when running down Dubai Moon to win by just under a length over this distance at Pakenham.
Last start he returned to the flat and demolished a maiden field over 2520m at Cranbourne by 4.5 lengths.
He maps to get a lovely run for Will Gordon and should be hard to beat.
2 Units – Affluential (7)
RACE 2 - 11:45AM: 3YO BM70 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Our Sassy Lady (6) impressed in her debut win over 1400m on The Lakeside track last start.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained daughter of Ocean Park sat outside the lead before letting down powerfully in the final furlong to win by 1.3 lengths.
This is a big step up from a maiden to a BM70 Handicap, but she looks above average with plenty of upside.
Celine Gaudray can settle in a forward position which should give her mount every chance to go back-to-back.
1 Unit – Our Sassy Lady (6)
RACE 3 - 12:15PM: BM78 Handicap (1100 METRES)
My Yankee Girl (3) resumes here on the back of a nice trial where she worked home strongly.
The Vincent Malady-trained American Pharaoh mare finished last preparation in style with a strong win at Ballarat over 1200m where she powered along the fence to win by 1.8 lengths.
She loves the sting out of the ground, winning four of eight races on a soft surface as well as her only heavy track start.
From barrier 2, Mitchell Aitken should be able settle in a nice position just behind what looks a genuine tempo.
1 Unit – My Yankee Girl (3)
RACE 4 - 12:45PM: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Mawkeb (5) was found to be lame second-up when disappointing at Mornington over 1600m.
I'm prepared to put a line through that run and go on the excellent first-up run by the Team Hayes-trained mare.
On that occasion, she savaged the line at Sandown when finishing 1.2 lengths third over 1400m in a similar strength race.
The blinkers go on again which should see her settle closer from barrier 1 for the in form Daniel Stackhouse.
1 Unit Each Way – Mawkeb (5)
RACE 5 - 1:15PM: BM64 Handicap (2000 METRES)
Rasputina (9) looks ready to peak fourth-up rising to her preferred distance.
The daughter of Russian Revolution settled well back last start over 1800m on The Heath track before working home well last start.
The start prior she impressed when winning over 1740m at Geelong by two lengths.
She ended last preparation in fine style with back-to-back wins over similar distances to this at Echuca and Murtoa.
Blake Shinn is a key booking given she will need a gun ride from the sticky gate.
1 Unit Each Way – Rasputina (9)
RACE 6 - 1:50PM: Neville Wilson Series Final (1700 METRES)
Goldenstatewarrior (5) is an import having his second start in Australia.
The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old gelding looked super in two jump outs ahead of his first-up run where he worked to the line strongly under a hold each time.
There was plenty of merit in his performance at Bendigo last start where he clocked the quickest final 200m of the race off a slow speed.
He'll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise in distance.
1 Unit – Goldenstatewarrior (5)
RACE 7 - 2:30PM: Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500 METRES)
The Grand Annual Steeplechase is an intriguing mix of stamina and good jumping ability.
Budd Fox (10) is one horse that fulfils both those requirements.
The Henry Dwyer-trained eight-year-old led from start to finish to easily win a 3200m steeplechase race over Pakenham last start.
While it's some time ago now, he did run a bold race in the 2021 Jericho Cup over 4600m here where he finished a length second to Will John who was in unbelievable form at the time so the distance should not be a problem.
William McCarthy should be able to give his mount an economical run from an inside draw.
1 Unit Each Way – Budd Fox (10)
RACE 8 - 3:15PM: Open Handicap (1400 METRES)
Green Fly (9) should be ready to produce a peak performance third-up following an excellent effort at Bendigo.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained son of Frankel let down beautifully at the end of 1400m to finish 1.6 lengths third to Chorlton Lane.
Extratwo was a nose in front of him that day and that horse has since won impressively at Caulfield.
He'll appreciate racing on a surface with some give in it.
1 Unit – Green Fly (9)
RACE 9 - 3:55PM: Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350 METRES)
Little Mix (4) has been racing in terrific form lately and looks close to a win.
The Annabel Neasham-trained mare was unlucky not to win the Mornington Cup last start.
She was finding the line strongly but was tightened for room late, only to pick up again to finish 1.3 lengths second to Esty Feny who had an uninterrupted run.
Prior to that she had finished close up in three Group races during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Blake Shinn is a key booking and can give her an economical run from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Little Mix (4)
RACE 10 - 4:30PM: BM64 Handicap (1300 METRES)
Rose Of Shalaa (13) returned in magnificent order last start at Ballarat.
The three-year-old filly settled handy in the 1200m contest before letting rip in the straight to easily win by 2.3 lengths.
She'll strip fitter second-up and obviously has ability given trainer Matthew Williams aimed high last preparation, racing her in multiple black-type races during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Dean Yendall, who piloted her to victory last start and remains in the saddle can settle in a great position from an inside gate.
2 Units – Rose Of Shalaa (13)
