Warrnambool
Race 1 – Furioso
Jockey – Will McCarthy
3200m hurdle
Last star Pakenham winner Furioso kicks off the final day of the Warrnambool carnival in a novice hurdle event on heavy ground. The five-year-old son of Atlante was strong winning his maiden race over the jumps three weeks ago, jumping confidently and ploughing through similar conditions he will have under hoof today. Hardest to beat in this is Declan Maher’s Nelson who has won both his attempts over the obstacles. He’s unbeaten on rain-affected tracks and is in a very astute jumping stable. Circle The Sun won his maiden hurdle on the same day as Furioso, the form from that race proving strong this week. He beat home Teofilo Star and Pure Deal, both winners on Tuesday, and has had a tick-over run on the flat in preparation for today. Port Guillaume is a capable jumper, having the better of the Dwyer runner last August before running a distant third to Nelson at his second go jumping. He’ll be improved from that effort and can be in this for longer today. Furioso is a clean jumper and will handle the going today if his last start gives any indication. There are a couple here with a swifter turn of foot on the flat but the conditions may nullify that to an extent. He’s in with a great each way chance.
Currently, Furioso is an $11 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 2 – Brung King
Jockey – John Allen
1400m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old gelding Brung King faces the sternest test of his career so far when he meets benchmark-70 company at Warrnambool today. The son of Crackerjack King is yet to run a bad race in four starts, deservedly breaking through for an easy maiden win at Ararat in heavy going last start. He has been placed all other runs, with subsequent strong form coming through each outing. Jockey John Allen has drawn gate three and can find a midfield position in the run, looking to find the best part of the track to run home in the straight. This is a good race with some promising types, the early speed horse Lord Turnbury has drawn a centre barrier and will be in this for a long way. He won his maiden first up in the bog at Terang and is sure to have taken improvement from the run. Will be given every chance from the front and gun on-speed jockey Linda Meech is engaged. Hardest to beat. Sir Bailey is first up after a gelding operation for the Maher/Eustace team. His strike rate doesn’t look flash on paper but he contested some hot races as a colt. The stable are sure to have him ready to go here. The race opens up from there in what will be an intriguing event to watch. Brung King couldn’t have been more impressive when winning his maiden, and John Allen sticks with him for this. He’ll be strong late in the piece and is a deserved favourite in the race. Very hard to beat.
Currently, Brunk King is a $2.l60 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 9 – Irish Butterfly
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
2350m – Barrier 4
In-form stayer Irish Butterfly is on the quick back-up from his dominant win in town on Saturday. The seven-year-old son of O’Reilly has won three of his past four starts, settling on speed and being tough at the end of his races. He has his first look at Listed grade today but has risen to the challenge every time the stable have asked him this preparation and will be full of confidence in himself. Celine Gaudray has a great association with this horse and will steer again today, pushing forward from a good draw and able to take a sit behind the leaders in the early parts. Rolls and Not Usual Glorious will come across from wide draws and sit on speed, while Bazini may choose to roll forward with them. Competitive race as you’d expect with chances right down the page. Mankayan has the class factor here and loves heavy ground. He’s been racing well in similar company without winning, though his last start effort behind boom horse White Marlin reads well for this. Not Usual Glorious won the Terang Cup last start and is a five-time winner on heavy tracks. This horse knows how to win and will be in this for a long way if he gets his way up front. Bazini usually improves second-up and was only a length-and-a-half from Not Usual Glorious at Terang. Gets in light at the weights and is a winning hope. Glitter ‘N’ Gold will be the late closer if runners overdo things in the front half. He pulled up with issues last start so best to look at his excellent form prior as a guide. The chances go on. Irish Butterfly is racing in terrific fashion and will put himself into the race again today. With even luck he can get going in the last 600-metres of the race and find the right part of the track to run home. He’s fit and healthy and winning form is good form. He’s right in the thick of the chances today.
Currently, Irish Butterfly is a $5 chance in the market.