All roads lead to Geelong this Good Friday for a sensational afternoon of racing. With eight competitive events on the card, can anyone stop the in-form Danny O’Brien who looks to have a mortgage on the meeting?
Geelong Race 5
#4 Cap De Joie
Cap De Joie was a brilliant last-start winner at Moonee Valley. The Farhh mare is building an impressive career record, and she looks like one of the better bets on a very competitive racing program. She has a massive turn of foot, and you simply can’t beat a mare in form! The 1700m looks ideal at this stage of her preparation, and I expect her to be too strong for her rivals late.
Gringotts heads down the highway looking for a hat trick of wins! The Per Incanto gelding has made an impressive start to his racing career, and he proved far too strong in a hot-form race at his latest outing. He keeps rising to the occasion and deserves his shot at this level. He should get the perfect run in transit from the middle gate, and I expect him to be there when the whips are cracking.
Armstrong Bay can run well at a hefty price. The Keep The Faith gelding was good first-up from a spell before scoring second-up in fine style. If she continues to improve this preparation, there is no reason why she won’t be competitive on Friday. This is her most challenging taste to date.
Suggested Bet: Cap De Joie @ $2.70
Geelong RACE 6
#10 Supagirl
The import Supagirl looked smart at her Australian debut. The Gai Waterhouse-trained four-year-old will roll forward and make her own luck on top of the speed, and if the Pride Of Dubai mare is left alone in front, watch out! The drop in grade is significant, and the step out in the distance looks ideal. Her winning strike rate is the primary concern.
Deny Knowledge will start favourite after a brave effort in the Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley. She went for the doctor too early. However, she never neglected the task when headed. She can sit in the box seat from the middle gate, and if she sees clear air on straightening, she may be hard to hold out. The length of her campaign is the primary concern.
Uniquely can run a drum at enormous odds. The Toronado mare runs home strongly to fill a minor placing at Moonee Valley last start, and she should get her chance to figure over the longer trip. From barrier four, Zac Spain can sit her closer to the speed, and if the leaders over race during the middle stages, her $61 quote may represent good value.
Suggested Bet: Supagirl @ $6.50
Geelong Race 7
#11 It'sourtime
It’sourtime loomed to win fresh at Flemington. The Time For War gelding has a sensational record at the trip and always races well second-up from a spell. I expect him to strip fitter after his first-up performance, and 54kg is a luxury for a Group 1 competitive galloper. The wide barrier and his winning record are the primary concerns.
Jigsaw is flying! The Manhattan Rain gelding put four wins together before leaving the kettle on in the Group 1 William Reid. From barrier two, he can roll forward, and I expect him to use his class to control the tempo throughout. He has had significant market support in early betting, and only bad luck in running would see him out of contention inside the final furlong. The allocated weight is the biggest obstacle.
In The Boat snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory first-up from a spell at Moonee Valley. The Nostradamus gelding traditionally runs well second-up, and his record at the distance must be respected. He may prove too strong late if he can stay out of the speed battle early.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $8.50
Geelong Race 8
#3 Greenhill Prince
Greenhill Prince is flying this preparation. The Kuroshio gelding is racing in great spirit and continues to punch above his weight. He deserves his shot at this level, and if he can overcome the awkward barrier draw, I expect him to be there when the whips are cracking. The length of his campaign is the primary concern.
Claidheamh Mor will have supporters after a dominant first-up victory. Despite carrying the grandstand, the Dundeel gelding proved too strong late, and there is no reason why he can’t continue on his winning ways. His track and distance record must be respected, and he has raced well before second-up from a spell. Barrier one is advantageous, and he will start favourite if the money continues.
Despite drawing the carpark, Where’s Poppy can figure. His two runs this preparation after been great without winning, and the 1500m looks ideal third-up. This is his biggest test to date, however, the Magnus gelding is racing in career form, and a win wouldn’t surprise. Watch for any market support.
Suggested Bet: Greenhill Prince @ $6.00
