Australian racing picks for Warrnambool and Hawkesbury

One of the most iconic racing events in Australia gets underway tonight, when Warrnambool commences its annual carnival. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-day carnival has been reduced to just two days this year, and the tens of thousands of fans who usually descend upon the country Victorian town will be sadly absent.

There is still plenty of quality racing, though, and tonight’s card will be entirely devoted to racing over jumps.

Here are a couple picks for tonight, including one at Warrnambool and one at the New South Wales meeting at Hawkesbury.

Warrnambool, Race 1: #9 So Belafonte

Trained by Dan O’Sullivan, So Belafonte is a 6-year-old gelding, by North American sire Medaglia D’oro, who has been racing consistently.

He should be able to show some improvement from his last start, which was a gutsy third at Pakenham, over the same 2-mile distance as tonight’s race. On that occasion, he beat one of tonight’s favorites, My King’s Council, by three lengths. My King’s Council made his first start over jumps in that race and should also improve, but I think So Belafonte will still have his measure.

So Belafonte will be on the speed and tough to run down at the end of the tough slog. I think we can get the Warrnambool carnival off to a winning start with him!

Hawkesbury, Race 3: #2 Perfect Impression

I picked this Anthony Cummings-trained 3-year-old filly last week at Canterbury, and while she didn’t get the chocolates, she ran an encouraging second. She appeared to momentarily get caught flat-footed in the straight, but when it did get going, she hit the line hard in the final sixteenth of a mile.

Hawkesbury is a drop down in grade from Canterbury, and with that latest run under her belt, she is poised to strike tonight. From an outside gate, she will likely settle mid-field or worse and will flash home late up the Hawkesbury straight.

Hope you start the week with a few winners!

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