Runner By Runner Guide: G2 Warrnambool Cup
MATT Loch will be looking to complete a unique double when he lines up as favourite for the G2 Warrnambool Cup on Wednesday night.
MATT Loch will be looking to complete a unique double when he lines up as favourite for the Group 2 Warrnambool Cup on Wednesday evening.
The Michelle Mallia-trained son of Aussie Infrared enters the $57,000 final on the back of four consecutive wins, including the recent Geelong Cup which saw him surpass $200,000 in prize money.
FIELDS AND FORM WARRNAMBOOL WEDNESDAY
A win on Wednesday night would not only complete a country cups double, he would become the first greyhound since Indian Fighter in 1963 to defend his Warrnambool Cup title.
Standing in his way is perennial country cup finalist Vincent Bale drawn ominously in box one, while the returning Sunset Frazier and group 1 finalists Inconspicuous and Zipping Gryllis are also at single figure quotes.
The Warrnambool Cup is one of Victoria's most popular country cups due in no small part to it falling in the middle of the famous Warrnambool jumps carnival, ensuring a large and enthusiastic crowd for the club's signature race.
The Warrnambool Cup will jump at 9.13pm.
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Trainer: Sam Grenfell
Heat: 24.73
Comment: Lining up in his eighth group race in 2025, Vincent Bale will get every chance to add to his Cranbourne Cup success (run at Sandown) after coming up with the red, a box from which he's missed a place just once in nine starts with four wins – including his last three appearances. Ran the slowest first split of the finalists which is a concern, but still ran within 0.01 of the best time overall and given the draw and his ferocious will to win, is sure to make his presence felt.
Can he win? Yes, the draw gives him every chance, though he will need to step cleanly and get into stride quickly.
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Trainer: Michelle Mallia
Heat: 24.72
Comment: Defending champion and fastest heat winner racing in career best form. Stepped beautifully from box seven to cross and lead and should be better for a more favourable draw from which he has won six of 11. Has a superlative record at the track (9 starts 6-3-0) and blessed with early speed.
Can he win? Ticks every box imaginable, the one to beat.
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Trainer: Emma Scott
Heat: 24.92
Comment: Caused an upset to win his heat, landing in front and not giving his rivals a look in to score by four lengths. This is clearly the biggest test of his career being his first group final and only his ninth start in open company in 79 starts.
Can he win? Has good early speed but will need to go faster overall to win. Best form over short ground so will be under pressure when they swing for home. Happy to take on.
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Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi
Heat: 24.79
Comment: A Hobart Thousand finalist, the former Queenslander has won in smart time in Brisbane and Sydney, and while he hasn't been able to replicate that form at city level in Victoria, is building a really good CV across the provincials at which he's won six of seven starts. Showed good speed in his heat and found the line impressively which is no surprise given he has won twice over 600m in his native Queensland.
Can he win? The draw is a little trickier (won from box 2 in his heat) but can get a cart across with the early speed beneath him. If he can, he can run them down. Good each-way value.
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Trainer: Brooke Ennis
Heat: 24.97
Comment: Ran the fastest first split by almost a length when winning his heat in 24.97. Is a group 1 Maturity finalist (525m) as well as a group 2 Healesville Cup (300m) finalist showing his class and versatility, but has mixed his form of late, his heat win his first in six starts.
Can he win? Has the ability to win, but will need the breaks from box five to be a chance.
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Trainer: Jake Loverso
Heat: 24.97
Comment: Was racing over 600m 12 months ago but has been kept to shorter distances since a two month break over the new year. Has won three of his last four in good fashion, his only blip coming in a heat of the Geelong Cup.
Can he win? Will need a lot of luck. Won his only start from box 6 (this will be his 49th start) but the draw has cruelled any realistic chance of winning.
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Trainer: Jeff Britton
Heat: 25.03
Comment: Won his heat first up since running fifth in The Phoenix after falling in the Melbourne Cup. Ran a ridiculous 18.35 to the back in a Melbourne Cup heat before that (including a 13.34 middle section which may be a record) stamping his class, but will need to find several lengths in all sections to be a factor here.
Can he win? At his best – absolutely. But second up after a long break and from a wide draw, it's a big ask. One to follow over 500m through winter.
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Trainer: Tina Womann
Heat: 24.94 (second to Matt Loch)
Comment: At 30 starts is the least experienced in the field, lining up for her first group final. Placed in all but one of her last 14 starts, though in a much lesser class. Has good early speed – ran 4.99 early at the Meadows two starts ago – and has led all of the way in all but one of her 10 wins. Winless in five starts from box eight, however.
Can she win? The class factor is a big question mark, and while she has excellent early speed, it will be a big ask to cross from the draw. No.
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The verdict: A really nice race boasting plenty of early speed and proven group race performers. MATT LOCH (2) holds the key – if he leads he'll be hard to run down and deserves favouritism. VINCENT BALE (1) is the big danger though but there is a risk he gets squeezed from the draw. INCONSPICUOUS (4) brings an interesting form line and third look at the track looks ready to peak, at the price he's an excellent each-way play.
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