Warrnambool Carnival 2025 Preview

What is the Warrnambool May Carnival 2025?

There’s nothing quite as unique as the ‘Bool in late Autumn. Every April / May, the coastal city of Warrnambool becomes the focal point of country racing, hosting one of Australia’s most iconic and well-loved racing events featuring both jump and flat races.

When is the 2025 Warrnambool May Carnival?

Held at Warrnambool Racecourse the carnival is a three-day midweek festival, always kicking off on a Tuesday and finishing on the first Thursday in May. In 2025, the carnival is being held between Tuesday 29th April and Thursday 1st May. Over the three days there are 23 flat races and 7 jumps races.

“How Bloody Good is the ‘Bool?!”

Things get underway on Brierly Day, with a strong 10-race card headlined by the $175,000 Brierly Steeplechase and the $125,000 VOBIS Gold Strike. On Wednesday, it’s Galleywood Day, where the jumping horses come are in the spotlight.

Warrnambool Highlights

The main races include the Galleywood Hurdle and the Listed Wangoom Handicap for the sprinters. Thursday is Grand Annual Day, with the $300,000 Warrnambool Cup taking centre stage on the flat, with the jumping feature race being the $350,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase. It is over 5500 metres and tests all the runners as well as the race-caller crying out “How Bloody Good is the ‘Bool?!”

Recent Brierly Steeplechase Winners

In 2024, Stern Idol (73kg) claimed victory under William McCarthy for trainers Ciaron Maher & in 2023, Britannicus (68kg) won with Aaron Kuru aboard for Symon Wilde; in 2022, Vanguard (NZ) (65kg) took the honours with Will Gordon riding, also trained by Symon Wilde.

In 2021, Flying Agent (65kg) saluted for Amy McDonald with Darry Horner Jnr in the saddle; in 2020, Getting Leggie (66kg) got the job done with Clayton Douglas for Nick Smart; and in 2019, Bit of a Lad (66kg) triumphed with Steven Pateman aboard, trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

Recent Galleywood Hurdle Winners

In 2024, Chains of Honour (65kg) took out the race with Luca Remondet aboard for trainer Ciaron Maher; in 2023, Saunter Boy (71kg) made it back-to-back wins under Steven Pateman for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace; in 2022, Saunter Boy (70.5kg) also claimed victory with Steven Pateman riding, again for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

In 2021, The Statesman (65kg) won the event with Will Gordon in the saddle for Brett Scott; in 2020, Gobstopper (70kg) triumphed under Ronan Short for Eric Musgrove; and in 2019, Big Blue (64kg) got the win with John Allen aboard for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

Recent Wangoom Handicap Winners

In 2024, Tuvalu (61.5kg) took out the race with Fred Kersley aboard for Lindsey Smith; in 2023, Outlaws Revenge (56kg) claimed victory under Dean Yendall for Daniel Bowman; in 2022, Frankie Pinot (55kg) got the win with Madison Lloyd riding for Tony McEvoy.

In 2021, Inn Keeper (54kg) saluted with Dean Holland in the saddle for Symon Wilde; in 2020, Order of Command (62kg) triumphed under Damien Oliver for Danny O’Brien; and in 2019, I Am Someone (54kg) was victorious with Dean Holland aboard for Paul Preusker.

Recent Grand Annual Steeplechase Winners

In 2024, Count Zero (64kg) claimed the win with Darryl Horner Jnr aboard for Symon Wilde; in 2023, Rockstar Ronnie (64kg) was victorious under Chris McCarthy for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace; in 2022, Herberite (64kg) took out the race with William McCarthy riding, also for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace; in 2021, Gold Medals (68.5kg) triumphed with Clayton Douglas in the saddle for Symon Wilde.

In 2020, Ablaze (66kg) got the win under Shane Jackson for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace; and in 2019, Zed Em (70kg) saluted with Steven Pateman riding for Patrick Payne.

Recent Warrnambool Cup Winners

In 2024, Mystery Island (54kg) took out the race with Harry Coffey aboard for Shane Jack; in 2023, Rolls (59.5kg) claimed victory under Linda Meech for Maddie Raymond; in 2022, Witchachar Star (54kg) triumphed with Beau Mertens riding for Chris Hyland; in 2021, Le Don De Vie (58.5kg) was the winner with Mark Zahra in the saddle for Anthony & Sam Freedman.

In 2020, Too Close The Sun (56kg) got the job done under Declan Bates for Lindsey Smith; and in 2019, Furrion (58kg) was successful with John Allen aboard for David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

Odds and Tips for the Brierly Steeplechase 2025

Prices Tom Ryan rides Port Guillaume for Ben & JD Hayes, currently priced as $3.80. Leaderboard, trained by Mark Walker and ridden by Will Gordon, is a popular pick with odds of at $ 4.20. Duke Of Bedford, with William McCarthy aboard for Andrew Bobbin, is about $ 5.50, Freddy The Eagle with Darryl Horner for Symon Wilde sits at $7.50, while Heir To The Throne, trained by Andrea Leek and ridden by Luca Remondet, is $ 9.00.

Berry The Cash, with Portia J Matthews in the saddle for M K Oulaghan, is priced at $13.00. Dean Parker takes the reins on The Mighty Spar for Mark Walker also at $13. Nelson, trained by Declan Maher and ridden by Martin Kelly, is $16.00. Blandford Lad, with Arron Lynch up for Peter Gelagotis, is also $16.00. Instigator, trained by Aaron Purcell and ridden by Braidon Small, is at $18 whilst lastly, Bazini, trained by Symon Wilde is the roughie in the field at $41.

Pickabookie.com.au tip for the race is Leaderboard at about $4.20. With proven track and distance form and a jockey who gets on well with the horse this looks to be the standout bet in the race and on day one of the carnival.

Odds and Tips for the Galleywood Hurdle 2025

Steven Pateman rides Stern Idol for Ciaron Maher, currently at $3.20. Affluential, trained by JD Leek Jnr and ridden by Will Gordon, is at $3.20. The Cunning Fox, with Tom Ryan aboard for Patrick & Michelle Payne, sits at $3.40. Right Now, trained by S B Laming and partnered with Darryl Horner, is listed at $12. Stablemate Pure Deal, with Conor Brassil on board, is also at $12.

Fabalot, for Symon Wilde and ridden by William McCarthy, comes in at $19. Dashing Willoughby, trained by K Durden and ridden by Luca Remondet, is also priced at $19. Carnamah, with Dean Parker riding for R Cunningham, is marked at $35. El Diez, for trainer E V Musgrove and rider Martin Kelly, rounds it out at $101.

In what looks like being an open renewal the Pickabookie.com.au selection for the race is to get some value away from the favourites in going for Right Now at about $12. The six-year-old gelding has some decent jumping form, and he might well turn the tables around on The Cunning Fox and Stern Idol since finishing third behind them when last out.

Odds and Tips for the Wangoom Handicap 2025

Ben Melham rides Hedged for M Price & M Kent Jnr, currently at $4.50. The Instructor, trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and ridden by Jett Stanley, is at $5. Marble Nine, with Harry Coffey aboard for Leon & Troy Corstens and W Larkin, is priced at $5.50.

Luna Cat, trained by Ben & JD Hayes and partnered with Celine Gaudray, comes in at $7.50. Taunting, with Blake Shinn riding for Michael Hickmott, is listed at $7.50.

Romantic Choice, trained by Tom Dabernig and ridden by Declan Bates, is currently at $10. Title Fighter, for Clayton Douglas and Daniel Moor, is marked at $14. Dubai Poet, trained by Michael Hickmott and partnered with Joe Bowditch, is at $15.

Fortunate Kiss, with Jamie Melham on board for L Kennewell & L Yeomans, is going around at $19. Home Rule, trained by M Raymond & P Bell and ridden by Luke Currie, is also at $21. Dashing, with Tom Madden up for Aaron Purcell, is out at $35, while Dothraki, trained by Paul Preusker and ridden by Dean Yendall, is the outsider of the field at $81.

Pickabookie.com.au tip for the race is Luna Cat. After a sold win at Terang when last out and with the inform apprentice jockey, Celine Gaudray on board for the Hayes brothers the $7.50 looks the value bet.

Latest Odds & Tips for the Grand Annual Steeplechase 2025

Odds for the Grand Annual are still subject to change, particularly depending on whether Duke Of Bedford backs up after his win on Tuesday. As it stands, he remains the favourite with jockey Arron Lynch, currently priced at $4.90. Jekyll’n’Hyde, ridden by Tom Ryan, is close behind at $6.00 to win and $2.40 to place. Both Heir To The Throne (Luca Remondet) and Freddy The Eagle (Darryl Horner Jnr) are well-supported at $7.50.

Berry The Cash, under Portia J Matthews, is also at $7.50. There’s been strong backing for last year’s winner Count Zero, available at $8.00, while Instigator shares the same price. Blood And Sand, ridden by Conor Brassil, is slightly longer at $11.00.

Among the rougher chances, Bazini is listed at $12.00 to win and $3.50 to place, while Historic, trained and ridden by Steven Pateman, is at $26.00/$6.00. The longshots include Fort Charles and Flying Pierro, both at $91.00.

Pickabookie.com.au tip: Count Zero. The 2024 winner has a knack for causing upsets and is being supported again at around $8.00. With conditions in his favour and strong backing through the week, he could be a great value play again this year.

Latest Odds & Tips for the Warrnambool Cup 2025

Around 24 hours out from the Cup, Immediacy, ridden by Blake Shinn, is the clear market favourite at $2.80, thanks to strong support. Both Mystery Island (Harry Coffey) and Ziryab (Teo Nugent) follow at $6.50, with Strawberry Rock, guided by Jamie Melham, priced at $8.50. Smokin’ Romans, with Ben Melham, is currently at $10.00.

Precious Charm (Daniel Moor) is a genuine threat at $13.00, and Speycaster (Fred W Kersley) offers value at $27.00. Others to note include Torranzino (Celine Gaudray) at $14.00, and Virtuous Circle (Jordan Childs) at $26.00.

Longer odds selections include Military Mission (John Allen), Claidheamh Mor (Declan Bates), and Ferago (Craig Newitt) all at $51.00. Meanwhile, Hit The Road Jack and Mission Of Love are each at $61.00, and Any Luck, ridden by Kate Walters, is the field roughie at $126.00.

Pickabookie.com.au tip: Military Mission. While recent form hasn’t been flashy, the grey gelding has class, and if the track stays soft and John Allen gets him travelling smoothly, the $51.00 odds could prove excellent value for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team.

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