Warrnambool action has been hot this week

The pinnacle of the jump racing season was at Warrnambool this last week as the May Carnival served up the best of the action. While jump racing might be struggling in general, the crowds at the bool show there is still life.

As well as being a popular event on the betting sites, the boost to the local economy of Warrnambool of the May Carnival is a key part of its popularity with locals and visitors alike. Big crowds packed into the track over the three days this year to enjoy some of the top jump racing in the calendar.

William McCarthy returns with Duke Of Bedford win

William McCarthy was in the saddle on Duke Of Bedford, saluting in the Brierly for trainer Andrew Bobbin. It was just his third ride back following an awful fall at Castleton last June and his second winner. For McCarthy, the thought of getting fit again for Warrnambool will have driven him and he gained a just reward for his efforts.

Duke of Bedford would make all of the running in the $82,500 to the winner Brierly before Bobbin turned him out just 48 hours later in the Grand Annual. He became the 23rd horse to complete the race double.

It was Arron Lynch who would get the ride in the Grand Annual and once more, Duke Of Bedford set off in front and was not for catching. These bold front runners are an easy type of horse to enjoy watching. Bobbin said afterwards that the horse often looks like he is doing too much in front but his jockeys always report back that the horse travels so kindly.

The Cunning Fox salutes in the Galleywood

The striking grey horse captured the Galleywood with an impressive win over a strong field that included Stern Idol. Those who were close to the pace throughout were always in control of the race with Stern Idol setting off in front.

It was win number five in a row over hurdles for The Cunning Fox who is starting to emerge as a well above average hurdler. He has had 33 races which is perhaps enough for a horse who is still only six years old but there could still be some progression to come over obstacles.

Yet to taste defeat in a race over hurdles and now with a feature win in the book, there is a strong chance that he can be a major player in the hurdling sphere over the next couple of years for his connections.

Michelle Payne fulfils part of a Warrnambool dream

While the Cunning Fox was the biggest winner of the week for the team of Patrick and Michelle Payne but the Tuesday win of Sing For Peace will have also meant so much to the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.

Payne had always wanted to ride at Warrnambool, having first attended the meeting when she was a teenager. It was going to be a last hurrah for her before she retired but a string of injuries throughout her career meant that she was advised against it.

Now a winning trainer at the meeting, that is going to encourage Payne to continue to push for further runners in future years. The win for The Cunning Fox made it a clean sweep for Patrick in the three major contests at the Carnival having previously won the Grand Annual four times going back to 2012 when he won his first and his 2017 success in the Brierly.

The horse racing bookmakers might not have enjoyed the Warrnambool Carnival as much as the crowd. Eight jump races with no winner bigger than $5.50 suggests that the punters were well on top which should hopefully see them back next year.