Country Cup racing continues on Thursday, with the Warrnambool Cup (2350m) attracting a strong field.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Warrnambool Cup.
2025 Warrnambool Cup Runner Preview:
1. Smokin Romans: He is the best horse in the race, by some distance. He was game in defeat in the Mornington Cup last time but I am just not sure he can carry topweight on this shifty track, sit on speed and fend them off.
2. Military Mission: I was keen on him running well in the Albury Cup first up but I think condition just gave out. He loves getting his toe in, will be strong late and has class. Knockout hope.
3. Virtuous Circle: Virtuous Circle might want one more but I think he has the class to be dangerous. He resumed at Randwick over 2000m behind Alalcance where he was back near last in the run and was never a factor on a day where up/in was dynamite. His best is clearly good enough and he’ll be strong late.
4. Torranzino: Had to really dig in late to win the Easter Cup. It was a blanket finish and the overall form out of it does look suspect. That, as well as the 2350m query, he goes through to the keeper.
5. Strawberry Rock: He got close to winning the Mornington Cup, just missing out on the win, driving hard late. Loves getting his toe in and suspect this could be the #1 seed for the stable with Jamie Melham riding.
6. Immediacy: SCR
7. Hit The Road Jack: Plain return at Terang and suspect he is getting ready for jumps racing as the season progresses.
8. Mission Of Love: Mission Of Love comes through the Immediacy race from Mornington. She got back off the tempo and in a race dominated on speed, she was never really a factor. I do like her up in trip, more genuine tempo, wet track, she’s a knockout hope.
9. Claidheamh Mor: I dare say he has been set for this race but his two runs back haven’t exactly been an endorsement of a coming winner.
10. True Marvel: In terms of proper stayers, who will be strongest late, I dare say he’s top seed. But his recent runs have been just fair and I reckon he’ll be jumping soon.
11. Mystery Island: Defending champ that looks to be ticking along beautifully. He closed with purpose in the Terang Cup and stable has had a fab Carnival to date. Leading contender.
12. Speycaster: He didn’t do a bad job in the Mornington Cup but does seem very one paced. He’ll be strong late…first four contender.
13. Ziryab: Ziryab is a slight query on this surface but it’s hard to knock how he is racing given he led throughout to spank them in the Terang Cup last time, giving none of his rivals a look in from the front end. Good racing style and I don’t think the trip will be an issue.
14. Precious Charm: Using the formula of Rolls previously, run on the Tuesday then back up into the Cup. She led on Tuesday and tried hard but had no answers late for Rolls. Good racing style but just lacks the class.
15. Ferago: I thought he was a real eye catcher on Tuesday in the 2350m race. Got back with the big weight but was good late. Down in the weights, strong late, wet track fine…a win wouldn’t shock.
16. Any Luck: Been up forever but is racing so well and she gap them in the Penola Cup last time. But don’t think she has the class.
17. Tikemyson (First Emergency): SCR
18. Burlington Gate (Second Emergency): Didn’t do a bad job last time in the Country Oaks but this is much harder.
19. Girls Girls Girls (Third Emergency): SCR
2025 Warrnambool Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Virtuous Circle.
2025 Warrnambool Cup Speed Map
There looks to be several go forward horses here. I think the likely leader will be Ziryab given he led throughout in the Terang Cup. But, I think he will have company in the shape of Smokin Romans and Claidheamh Mor. Precious Charm could also slide forward from the wide gate.
