Group 3 racing takes the headlines as we venture down to Geelong for harness racing on Saturday night.
The bests across the 10-race program will hopefully get us cashed up for the weekend.
Geelong Race 1
#3 Balenciago
Balenciago has been racing in good form of late and put in a brave run at Cranbourne last start after being posted wide throughout.
He raced over the mile and had to spend a few too many petrol tickets early in the run which cost him late in the race.
The five-year-old gelding from the highly astute Gath stable should appreciate the inside draw and a softer tempo.
Expecting Kate Gath to let Dot The Eye, who is drawn inside of her, take the lead in order to take the trailing run.
She should then be able to peel off the back of that runner and let down with this pacer’s sprint.
Suggested Bet: Balenciago win at $3.8
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 3 & 2
Geelong race 2
#3 Queen of the Crime
Queen of the Crime produced a superb effort in the Group 3 Sumthingaboutmaori over 2150 metres last start.
The four-year-old ran fourth behind the very talented Sleepee after battling on bravely in the concluding stages of the race.
She was only beaten 12 metres and she now drops back to a suitable grade and back to the mile.
The map looks favourable for her as well.
She can spear through when the gates fold back and take up a handy spot next to the lead which will hold her in good stead against her main rival I am Pegasus who will be back in the run from the second row.
Suggested Bet: Queen of the Crime win at $3.2
Geelong Race 7
#5 Torrid Saint
Torrid Saint is in career best form and looks to get a perfect set up here.
His two main rivals in the form of Western Sonador and Wolf Stride both have fitness queries.
Western Sonador is re-appearing after nearly a month away from the racing scene, while Wolf Stride enters this race first-up from a break.
Torrid Saint is the up and running pace in this field and, given the high pressure predicted early in this race, it will probably bust open the pacers that are not fit which is no concern for our pick.
Hoping Greg Sugars puts the pressure one early and drives to the front to lead at a solid tempo.
If he can use his fitness advantage to full effect he will be winning this race.
Suggested Bet: Torrid Saint win at $3.2
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 5, 8
Geelong race 8
#8 Majestuoso
Majestuoso looks to get the right race shape here in order to use his devastating sprint.
His first two runs back from a spell will primed and ready to strike in this Group 3 event.
His first-up run was a brilliant over Sleepee when he rifled home late to fly over the top and win, while his second-up effort he copped some interference at a crucial stage of the race to run fourth.
There looks to be a lot of early and mid-race pressure in ths event which is what he thrives off.
He will be the pacer flying home late in the race to pick off the stragglers.
Suggested Bet: Majestuoso win at $1.75
