Today the first big day of the Warrnambool Racing Carnival takes centre stage on Victoria’s south-western coast with the meeting’s action headlined by the Wangoom Handicap 2015, betting tips for the sprint feature found below.

Due to run as Warrnambool Race 7 at 3:20pm (AEST), this year’s $150,000 Listed Midfield Group Wangoom Handicap (1200m) originally drew an above capacity field.

Two early scratchings from the line-up, Henwood (16) and Scarlet Billows (7), however leaves only 15 runners including the first emergency Royal Island who got the call-up.

Leading Wangoom Handicap betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $4.60 are two co-favourites, Tried And Tired carrying the 60kg top weight and the market mover Mr Utopia coming off a win over the 1200m at Flemington from April 25.

Leon & Troy Corstens‘ Niello gelding Tried And Tired is second-up for the season, the stakes winning five-year-old coming off a fourth to Politeness in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on April 18.

The only other single figure hope for the win is Singo Eagle ($9) drawn the rails with Linda Meech to ride from barrier one , the Peter Moody-trained mare boasting four wins from nine runs over the distance.

So do the bookmakers have it right or is there value to be found tipping an upset Wangoom Handicap result from a longer priced hope such as Wez Hunter’s Harebaa Stakes third placed Magnus Lad ($12) or the Robbie Laing-trained Tristram’s Sun ($12)?

1^st

#13 Magnus Eagle ($12)

At $12 Hunter’s Magnus four-year-old looks nice value after an impressive third to Under The Louvre in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington last time out. Think the improvement off that will be enough to get him over the line here. First run at the track but record over the distance (6-2-1-1) is good, and it isn’t the deepest class of field. Will likely lead, and should be fresh enough but not outdone fitness-wise either after his six weeks between runs. Any track will suit, so ticks plenty of boxes.

2^nd

#6 Mr Utopia ($4.60)

Smerdon’s Elusive Quality five-year-old is out wide with a double digit draw but still has genuine claims with three wins and a third from five previous runs over the distance. First time at the track, but should be firing on all cylinders second-up after resuming on Anzac Day with a win in the wet at Rosehill. Won narrowly in that Benchmark 90 on the Heavy (8) track, but on firmer ground and dropping back from 58.5kg to 56.5kg looks a big hope.

3^rd

#12 Sino Eagle ($9.50)

With the inside alley, it will come down to whether they’re winning from the rails on the day. If they are then Moody’s Casino Prince mare is a genuine chance at first-past-the-post. She won over 1200m at Flemington two back to take her record up to seven wins from 19 starts, but was sixth last time out over less metres (1100m) at Caulfield. Up in distance again, which will suit and dropping 57kg to the 54kg minimum is a big advantage too.

To get behind our Wangoom Handicap 2015 selections at the right price, head to Ladbrokes.com.au now as they are offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on the race today!