Big fields open 3-day Warrnambool carnival

The opening day of the Warrnambool three-day carnival will feature four jumps races on a 10-event card.

Three maiden hurdle races kick off the carnival on Tuesday, drawing capacity fields with the day’s feature, the Brierly Steeplechase having eight acceptors with a total of 139 spread across the 10 races.

Crossing roads to race through paddocks before again linking up with the main course, the Brierly Steeplechase is the precursor to the carnival highlight, Australia’s longest race, the Grand Annual Steeplechase over 5500m.

Local jumper Gold Medals is attempting back-to-back victories in the Brierly having won with 66kg last year, rising to 68.5kg for this year’s attempt.

Gold Medals went on to win the Grand Annual two days later in a thrilling contest with Zed Em.

Both horses are entered for this year’s Grand Annual with Zed Em weighted on 70kg and Gold Medals 68kg, a rise of 2.5kg on last year.

Acceptances for the final two days on Wednesday and Thursday are taken on Monday.

Day Two highlights are the Wangoom Handicap which has attracted 33 nominations headed by Jungle Edge on 60kg ahead of Malibu Style with 58kg and the Galleywood Hurdle with Ivan Grozny heading weights with 69kg ahead of Self Sense with 68.5kg.

Along with the Grand Annual, Thursday also features the main flat race, the Listed Warrnambool Cup, with Self Sense topping the weights with 60kg ahead of Furrion on 57.5kg.