Gippsland will light up this Friday night with five heats of the Sportsbet Warragul Cup and if there’s one theme running through them, it’s early speed, early speed and early speed.

With five heats on the program, the five winners plus the three fastest runner‑ups will progress to the Group 2 Sportsbet Warragul Cup Final on Friday, February 6.

What’s happening on Cup night?
– Enter the Wheelie Great Race for your chance to win $500 thanks to Veolia
– Playtime Casino: fun money with chances to win prizes
– Kids’ entertainment: inflatable slide & face painting
– Live DJ and food trucks throughout the night

Click here for more information

Wondering why the heats aren’t run consecutively? Race 8 is scheduled for Sky Racing 2, which splits the last two heats.

I’ll be on Sky Racing 1 before every race on the card with insights and commentary.

Heat 1
Track record holder Dramatical (1) steps out for the first red‑carpet series of his career. The class runner of the field is Bebop Jazz (4), who brings proven form at this level.

Heat 2
Tarawi Therese (7) is a dead‑set rocket and will explode early, remarkably chasing her 23rd win from just 30 starts. On The Prowl (1) has flown under the radar compared to other Presutto runners, but his recent wins in town are changing that quickly.

Heat 3
Melbourne Cup finalist Intrepidus (8) returns for the first time since an early mistake ended his chances at Sale earlier this month. He meets the red hot Heavy Haulage (4), who has reeled off five straight victories since returning from a nine‑month break.

Heat 4
Star sprinter Slick Splits (7) returns after a modest Phoenix performance in December and looks well drawn. Drawn towards the rail, Typhoon Baylee (2) and Manager (4) are airborne, while Saquon (1) gets his chance to bounce back into form on this stage.

Heat 5
Household name Tim Zoo (2) was back in business at Sandown Park last week and gets another big opportunity from the same draw. Off The Chart (4) (another very sharp one from the Presutto camp) should appreciate the Warragul distance given his current lack of strength on the city tracks.

Tarawi Therese (2) absolutely flew in her last start at Warragul – she lines up in Heat 2