Will Weir once again dominate the ‘Bool?
THE annual Warrnambool racing carnival kicks off tomorrow and once again champion trainer Darren Weir is expected to play a major roll across all three days.
Weir, who registered an incredible 14 of the 28 winners across the three days at the carnival, takes a strong hand of runners into the 2018 edition, has 16 runners at tomorrow’s meeting, 23 on Wednesday and 24 on Thursday, bringing his total horses taking to the track to 63.
Can the champion trainer surpass the win total of last season? Online bookmaker Sportsbet is has framed a market on whether Weir can record 15 or more wins.
Punters can get $3.60 at Sportsbet if Weir can break his own record, while the $1.33 price is available for those who doubt the great man can produce the goods.
Other specific markets that Sportsbet have on offer are whether or not Weir will train a winner that wins by under one part of a length or less ($2.50), $31 if Weir can train a trifecta in any event or $101 for Weir can take out every race he takes a runner into.
Now And Zen is one of the key runners Weir takes into the Brierly Steeplechase on day one, and the punters believe the nine-year-old can take out the $150,000 feature at the ‘Bool.
Crownbet has gelding at the $5.50 quote to win the 3450m event.
Sportsbet representative Ella Zampatti said Weir’s body of worth at the ‘Bool speaks for itself.
“Weiry can train winners anywhere, but the ‘Bool is one of his favourite hunting grounds,” Zampatti said.
There’s no risk he’ll train a stack of winners, but whether he can break his record from last year is the big question.”
The opening race of the 2018 Warrnambool Carnival is George Taylor Memorial Maiden Hurdle, which kicks off at 11.20am on Tuesday.