Group Racing Spotlight Turns To The ‘Bool

WARRNAMBOOL assumes the group race spotlight this Wednesday night with six heats of the Macey's Bistro Warrnambool Cup (450m) up for grabs.

With the six heat winners and fastest two seconds progressing to Wednesday week's bumper $47,000 to-the-winner final, some seriously talented sprinters are set to line-up in the group 2 feature, headed by Orson Allen, looking to bounce back following a lackluster performance in last week's Easter Gift at Sandown Park.

HEAT 1

The opening heat looms as a terrific two-way battle between hometown hero Crimson Vixen for Norm McCullagh and Whiskey Riot for Anthony Azzopardi. In fact, the pair completely dominate the market with Bet365 at $1.95 and $2.05 respectively, the next best Auggie off box one at $11.00. Crimson Vixen has posted a scorching 6.37 early at her home track and has won four of her six starts at the venue, from box two leaning her way to get the better of Whiskey Riot who is unbeaten in both his starts at the ‘Bool. Terrific way to start the night.

HEAT 2

Gripping second heat where all eyes will be on favourite Flynn looking to atone following his midfield Launching Pad finish at Sandown last Thursday. His one-turn form is nearly faultless, of course lowering Fernando Bale's Bendigo track record, as well as annexing the Ballarat Derby against a crack field. Tackles two sensational one-turners here in Warragul Cup hero Dyna Hunter and Nervous An Weird, runner-up in the Bulli and Horsham Cups. That early speed battle will be absorbing and go a long way to determining the outcome.

WATCH FLYNN'S BALLARAT DERBY VICTORY

HEAT 3

Two-time Group 1 winner Barooga Brett makes his Warrnambool debut with Bet365 installing the son of Barcia Bale a $2.50 equal favourite with pocket dynamo Speed Star. Barooga Brett hasn't started since finishing down the track in last month's Horsham Cup Final, he should get a nice cart into the race from six with the vacant box inside him with expected leader Speed Star in four. Talking of speed, Eye Got It comes into the race as the winner at 24 of his 29 starts, has won three on the trot at Healesville in scorching time since landing the Murray Bridge Cup. Looks a terrific three way battle.

WATCH BAROOGA BRETT TAKE OUT THE GROUP 1 TEMLEE

HEAT 4

Orson Allen will go around rock bottom odds and with the benefit of box one expect the quick bounce back tonight after finishing sixth in the Easter Gift at Sandown last Thursday. Bona-fide superstar and suspect he makes his Warrnambool debut a winning one. Dangers? Southern Ripple is hugely talented and toughed out a gritty win in moderate time here last week. Expect he'll be better for that effort and he's proven he can run serious times. Jaro Bale and Double Tax the other pair for multiples, will be there to pounce if the favourite puts a foot wrong.

HEAT 5

Launching Pad fastest qualifier Lucy's Milo is as strong as an ox and can run blistering times and gets his chance to qualify for a Warrnambool Cup with the benefit of the red. The draw definitely brings him into the race, tackling the sensational Time To Talk for Angela Galea, winner at 13 of her 22 starts. She has speed to burn and I thought her third here last week, where a tad unlucky, was a strong pointer to tonight. Bet365 can't split them in betting at $2.40. Myrniong And All can break records up to 350m but 450m is a test for the speed machine. If he steps cleanly look for him to lead and give a big sight for a long way in front.

HEAT 6

Terrific final heat where Group 1 winning bitches Elevated and Dyna Patty match motors from the wings. Elevated resumes since her midfield finish in January's Warragul Cup and by all reports she's trialling the house down. Going her way to edge out Dyna Patty who I thought was gallant in finishing second in last week's Easter Gift at Sandown. She's a dual group 1 winner and from the pink she should stay out of trouble early and get herself into the picture. Cash Point will be the one rattling home, has a huge engine and Warrnambool suits him down to the ground.

WATCH ELEVATED LAND THE GROUP 1 SAPPHIRE CROWN