Seven-year-old Chequered Flag will take plenty of benefit into his second-up assignment at the ‘Bool today and will be tough to beat. The Raise The Flag gelding has had a handful of starts over the jumps and is yet to finish worse than second, while he has maintained a decent flat racing career for several seasons. He’s had the benefit of a couple of strong trials in the lead-up to this and the $4.20 on offer does look a touch of overs.
Meteor Light typically enjoys sharp improvement second-up and he looms as a live each-way chance in the sixth at the ‘Bool today ($17 at publish). The five-year-old son of Clodovil tuned up with a fair effort over 1400m at Pakenham three weeks ago and there is no doubt that he’ll relish the rise in trip today and a return to a soft track.
Gold Medals’ effort for second in the Brierly Steeplechase on Tuesday was enormous and he can go one better in the Grand Annual this afternoon. The evergreen veteran is one of the country’s best jumpers and won this race in an exciting finish last year. There is no doubt that he is up to winning it again and I think he’ll run another big race.
There is no Darren Weir at the 2019 Warrnambool Carnival, but I am confident that a former Weir runner can win the Cup. Furrion has continued to build to the task this time and put the writing on the wall when he flew home to finish second in the Group 3 Easter Cup last time out. He’ll only improve fourth-up and with even luck, he’ll take a power of beating.