BALLARAT hopes Akzar and Gottino have drawn the car park in Thursday’s listed $200,000 Warrnambool Cup, 2350m.
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Darren Weir’s irish import Akzar last night drew the extreme outside in barrier 20.
He will come into barrier 16 with the cup limited to 16 starters.
No luck either for the Dan O’Sullivan-trained country cups specialist Gottino, which drew 18 and will also get closer to the fence after scratchings
Akzar should still be sent out favourite despite the draw.
He goes into the cup with impeccable form, having won three races on end on city tracks and then two seconds to the impressive Our Voodoo Prince at latest outings.
Gottino, which is the reigning Victorian country horse of the year, is a last-start Terang Cup winner.
Weir also has Shiny Buttons in the Cup field, although he also engaged in the City of Warrnambool Handicap, 1700m.
Robert Smerdon (Westsouthwest) and Patrick Payne (Fieldmaster) also have runners in the Cup.
THE three-day Warrnambool Racing Carnival begins today, with the $100,000 Brierly Steeplechase, 3450m, the feature event on what will be a rain affected track.
Darren Weir’s Ballarat/Warrnambool training operation has 15 acceptors for the 15-race card, including Cats Fun and Via Savola in the Brierly.
Cats Fun is pursuing back-to-back Brierly Steeplechase victories, having won when prepared by Jarrod McLean.
McLean is serving a suspension and will consequently miss his hometown carnival.
Cats Fun is one of several horses from the McLean stable now with Weir.
GLENELG HWY THE WAY TO GO FOR DOGS
HIGHWAY towns provided a string of winners at Ballarat greyhound races on Monday, with kennels from Smythesdale, Skipton and Streatham tasting success.
Belena Belle ($7.40) won a maiden, 390m, for Streatham’s Ray Fisher.
The daughter of Collision had had just the three previous starts and is the fifth winner out of a Belena Haze litter, with Snake Valley trainer Terry Breen having also enjoyed success with other offspring.
Shaun Boag from Smythesdale produced Rich Azz Yeew ($27.60) for a surprise win a maiden, 390m.
Skipton’s Kevin Miller won with Cattogio ($8.70) in a grade five, 390m.
MEANWHILE, Ballarat continues in the Thursday night timeslot- allowing the Warrnambool Greyhound Cup to be run on Wednesday night.
This means for the second week in a row Ballarat greyhounds and the neighbouring Ballarat harness arcing will go head-to-head on the same night.