THE countdown to the 2018 TAB Warrnambool May Racing Carnival began in earnest last Thursday with the Warrnambool Racing Club (WRC) launching the three-day event.
Lady Bay was the perfect backdrop for the official launch which was held at Warrnambool’s The Pavilion. The proceedings were attended by a number of racing identities central to the running and success of the event including this year’s carnival ambassador jockey Melissa Julius and WRC Chief Executive Peter Downs.
The three-day event, from 1-3 May, attracts thousands of racing enthusiasts every year to view Australasia’s premier jumps horses, immerse in the thrill of country racing, be inspired by autumn race fashions, and enjoy unmatched local hospitality. This is Australian grass-roots racing at its finest.
The carnival is a celebration of country racing and is famously held mid-week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (always the first Thursday of May). It is best known for its premier jumps racing events (of which there are 7 races) including the internationally acclaimed Grand Annual Steeplechase, first held in 1872.
The race remains the longest and most celebrated of its kind in Australia.
Racing Victoria is once again pleased to offer its support of jumps racing at Warrnambool this year having announced at the commencement of the 2018 jumps season an additional $150,000 to be offered across three jumps races.
There will be an increase of $50,000 to the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) on day three which will take it to $350,000 and the equal highest prize in jumps racing along with the Grand National Steeplechase.
A further $25,000 has also been added to both the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) bringing the feature races on days one and two respectively to $150,000 each.
Finally, a $50,000 Champion Novice Steeplechase (3200m) has been added to day two of the Carnival, meaning that a minimum two jumps races will now be run on each of the three days.
For more information regarding the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, visit https://country.racing.com/warrnambool/may-racing-carnival.