Another highly competitive meeting adorns us down the Princes Highway from Geelong.
The Wizard of Odds is gearing up for this card with his best bets as we head towards a massive weekend of group racing at Caulfield.
Geelong Race 1
#13 Man Of Heart
Danny O’Brien unveils his three-year-old colt Man of Heart for the first time since his two-year-old season.
The galloper by Reliable Man was stowed away to the paddock after running fourth on debut at Bendigo over 1400 metres.
He returns to the racetrack after a nice jumpout at Geelong over 1000 metres on August 4 where he showed good gate speed and went through the line nicely.
He seems to have grown and furnished into a stronger racehorse judging by his action.
Damian Lane will probably get back in the run from a wide barrier, but this horse has the talent to overcome negative tactics.
Suggested Bet: Man Of Heart win at $2.9
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 10 & 13
Geelong race 3
#14 Tramontana
Tramontana returns from a spell in his three-year-old season and looks to have improved out of sight since his first campaign.
He progressed all the way to listed level as a two-year-old when racing in the Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) and running sixth as a $5 elect.
The Hayes stable then tipped him out for a break and his jumpouts since coming back from the paddock look very strong.
He posted a smart win on the synthetic surface of Flemington in slick time over 800 metres under a vice-like grip.
Looks as though he has a sharp sprint to put on display in this race from a very soft barrier which should see him settle in the first four during the run.
Suggested Bet: Tramontana win at $3.9
Geelong Race 4
#12 Israelite Bay
Israelite Bay caught the eye with a gutsy jumpout win at Ballarat on August 3 over 800 metres.
She had her practice run for this race on the Balalrat synthetic surface and did a nice job when being put under pressure.
The three-year-old filly posted four wide for the whole trip and was ridden out strongly to win the trial by a half length in front of Topeka as they gapped the rest.
Draws a wide barrier here, but she showed enough dash in her jumpouts to suggest Luke Currie can overcome the barrier by pinging to the front.
Even if Currie does decide to go back, she is good odds and worth the risk
Suggested Bet: Israelite bay each-way at $12 the win and $3.80 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 10, 12
Geelong Race 8
#11 Frostin'
Having a very speculative each-way flutter on Frostin’ who was simply run off his feet last start.
He resumed off some nice jumpouts with blinkers being applied at his resuming run as well as being gelded.
Happy to forgive that poor run at Moonee Valley and give him another chance in what looks a race with a much softer early speed.
If Damian Lane can settle him midfield with cover form the wide barrier then he is a sneaky each-way chance at huge odds.
Suggested Bet: Frostin’ each-way at $20 the win and $5 the place