Regular Warrnambool May Racing Carnival visitor, Robert Smerdon, is already planning his team for the famous three-day meeting next week. Two years ago Smerdon was the first trainer to win the bonus car for training four winners, including a ‘major’ at the Carnival.
He trained an amazing seven winners that year and while he’s not expecting that to happen again, he is already plotting a few paths.
“Westsouthwest will go to the Cup and The Bowler will run in the Wangoom,” Smerdon told Racing Network.
Westsouthwest is a last start impressive winner over 2400-metres at Caulfield on April 12, and the versatile galloper will also be nominated for the Galleywood Hurdle on the middle day of the Carnival.
“He’ll be entered for the Galleywood as well, but I’d say he’s going up for the Cup and will run in that race,” he said.
“The Bowler ran very well on Saturday (at Caulfield), did all the work and was left a sitting shot,” he added.
Smerdon said he would also be taking several other runners for the minor races on the three days.
The Carnival starts next Tuesday with the big day on Thursday when the Warrnambool Cup and the Grand Annual Steeplechase will be run.