The Henry Dwyer Racing stable has one runner today with BUDD FOX running at Warrnambool.
Warrnambool – Heavy (9)
Significant overnight rain has seen the track come up a Heavy 9 so these are going to be the truly testing conditions that are synonymous with this May Carnival. There is some thought that the lanes 2-5 might have some advantage at the start of play but as the days goes on you’d expect them to get progressively wider on the track. Fit horses are the key and speed maps are probably of less importance.
Race 7 (2.55pm) Mercedes-Benz BM78 Handicap
No.5 BUDD FOX – Damien Thornton (Barrier 3)
BUDD FOX heads to Day 1 of the Warrnambool May Carnival where he will contest a 2350m BM78. He has drawn gate three and Damien Thornton will ride.
BUDD FOX is going to get a lovely run in transit from gate three, settling just behind the 4-5 early speed horses and from there he will be given every chance. Importantly, BUDD FOX certainly won’t want for fitness having been up for a while and in recent times mixing flat racing with jumping. Soft tracks are no issue for BUDD FOX but he has had two goes on heavy and in his most recent failure at Ballarat in May of 2020 the rider did give the opinion that the gelding didn’t handle the Heavy 10. This track is rated on the better side of a 10 and at least there is no more rain forecast throughout the day.
BUDD FOX’S ratings at his past two starts on the flat have been the best of his preparation so he comes into this in good enough form to figure in the finish should he hold that rating on the Heavy today. He will be midfield in the run and hopefully he can handle the wet track (which will improve throughout the day), which is the only slight question mark.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $8.50 (as at 8am)