| What | Warrnambool Cup Day 2025 |
| Where | Warrnambool Racing Club – 2/64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 |
| When | Thursday, May 1, 2025 |
| First Race | 11:20am AEST |
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Visit Dabble |
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The Listed Warrnambool Cup and Grand Annual Steeplechase will headline the final day of the Warrnambool May Carnival, with 10 races set down for decision this Thursday. The track will remain in the Soft range on the flat, while the steeple track is rated as Heavy. The rail will stay in its true position, with the opening race set to kick off at 11:15am AEST.
Warrnambool Cup Tip: Mystery Island
Shane Jackson will be seeking back-to-back Warrnambool Cups with Mystery Island, who seems to be going just as well, if not better, than he was last year. The son of Victoire Pisa flew home from the back of the field in the Terang Cup over 2150m last start, and the extra distance here will be a positive. If Harry Coffey can find a back to follow from barrier 17, Mystery Island can defend his title with a strong finish.
Warrnambool Cup
Race 9 – 
#11 Mystery Island (17)
8yo Gelding | T: Shane Jackson | J: Harry Coffey (54kg)
Grand Annual Steeplechase tip: Instigator
After running a slashing third place in the Brierly Steeplechase, Instigator appears to be primed and ready for a big crack at the 2025 Grand Annual. The Aaron Purcell-trained gelding settled at the rear of the field and jumped nicely throughout the 3450m on Tuesday, but given how strongly he finished, the trip looked to be too short for the seasoned jumper. If Instigator can navigate each of the jumps and sprint sharply late, he can win the co-feature at a good each-way price with horse racing bookmakers.
Grand Annual Steeplechase
Race 7 – 
#4 Instigator (9)
11yo Gelding | T: Aaron Purcell | J: Braidon Small (54kg)
Best Bet at Warrnambool: Cleo Cat
Following the first defeat of her six-start career at the end of last preparation, Cleo Cat will return from a 16-week spell with the benefit of a five-length trial victory over 1000m at Terang. The daughter of American Pharoah showed a lot of ability when winning her first five races before going down in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes at Geelong in January. Jordan Childs will push forward and take up the lead from barrier four, and if Cleo Cat gives a strong kick, her rivals will struggle to run her down.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#2 Cleo Cat (4)
4yo Mare | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jordan Childs (60kg)
Warrnambool Cup Day quaddie tips – 1/5/25
Warrnambool quadrella selections
Thursday, May 1, 2025
- 1-2-4-5
- 1-2-6-9
- 1-4-5-6-11
- 3-10-14
Horse racing tips
