All roads lead to Geelong this Wednesday! With the Group 3 Geelong Cup and Listed Geelong Classic for the three-year-olds front and centre, a bumper local crowd is expected. Will we see the next VRC Derby or Melbourne Cup champion star on this fantastic mid-week program?
Geelong Race 5
#1 Highvol
Highvol is racing well without winning. The Microphone gelding caught the eyes of punters late in the Bill Stutts two starts back, and he is coming off a forgive run in the Caulfield Guineas. The significant drop-in class plays into his favour, and I suspect he is ready for the longer trip after a lengthy campaign. The Mark Zahra factor must be respected, and he has ideally drawn in barrier five. His recent winning record and the grandstand weight are among the primary concerns.
Crown Of Russia is over the odds. The Russian Camelot colt has been rubbing shoulders with some serious gallopers, and he is edging closer to his next victory. He has been game in defeat in his latest two outings at Flemington, and he has been crying out for the longer trip all preparation. The inform Craig Williams sticks, and I suspect he is ready to peak and explode on Wednesday. The carpark draw in his biggest challenge.
Arcora is racing better than it suggests in the bible. The Justify colt looks well placed in this company, and the perfect inside draw puts him into all winning calculations. The 2200m will suit, and I suspect the key appointment of Blake Shinn will attract further market support. He can threaten if he recaptures his mojo.
Suggested Bet: Highvol @ $4.20
Geelong RACE 7
#4 Torranzino
Torranzino is ready to win. The Tarzino gelding was brilliant behind a smart one in the Bart Cummings, and the form out of the race has been franked since. The drop in trip is advantageous, and I suspect he will sit closer to the speed from a plumb draw. He has been specked at a price since acceptances, and the big boy possesses a significant turn off foot. He may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the doctor.
Whisky On The Hill was a hard watch for supporters at Caulfield at his latest outing. The Ribchester gelding didn’t see daylight until the bird had flown, and he looked a good thing licked! His record at the trip speaks volumes, and I suspect he is set to peak on Wednesday. He comes in well at the weights, and Michael Dee is riding in career best form. His racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Gilded Water went quicker than last week’s pay at his latest outing. The Fastnet Rock gelding fought on gamely, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result. The 54kg is luxurious, and barrier four should ensure a soft trip in transit. If he brings his best race-day manners, he will be in with a winning chance. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Torranzino @ $12.00
Geelong Race 8
#12 Stoli Bolli
Stoli Bolli looks the best bet on a tricky and competitive program. The inside draw should give his key rivals sleepless nights leading into the event, and his camp are training winners for fun at present. The Deep Field gelding is super progressive, and a win here would be a great reward for consistent effort. There has been a tsunami of money for him early doors, and Blake Shinn already has a winning association with the talented four-year-old. He unfortunately has the ability to find one or two better at the pointy end of the contest.
Spione can run a drum at a price. The Showtime gelding resumes after a brilliant autumn campaign in Sydney, and his recent jump-outs looked ominous. He is a first-up specialist, and he his versatility alone puts him into all winning calculations. I suspect he will occupy the box-seat throughout, and if the gaps appear as heads turn for home, he can figure in the finish. The significant class rise is the primary concern.
Verdad is the class runner. The Justify gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he is always thereabouts. The form around him is rock-solid, and I suspect he is in for another fruitful preparation. The 3kg apprentice claim helps his plight, and I expect him to take up a prominent role from an inside alley. He has been known to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Suggested Bet: Stoli Bolli @ $2.50
Geelong Race 9
#5 Flying Valley
Flying Valley was ok without threating in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes behind Pride Of Jenni. His form prior is delicious, and he looks suited dropping back in grade. The shorter trip could prove decisive, and his pilot Jamie Mott has a fantastic record aboard. He has been well supported in most all-in markets, and I expect him to prove too strong late with even luck in-transit. Major player!
Outta Compton resumes with an air of expectation. The Artie Schiller gelding has trialed exceptionally well leading into this event, and he traditionally motors fresh. The consistent six-year-old should have plenty of residual fitness from a successful winter campaign, and I suspect he is ready for a first-up tilt. He is undefeated at the trip, and the middle gate will allow him to sit midfield with some cover. The grandstand weight is his biggest obstacle.
Jenni The Fox has been ok without winning at Group 2 level this preparation. The drop-in grade suits, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals after a lengthy spell. The 1500m is ideally at this stage of her campaign, and the key appointment of Blake Shinn should raise eyebrows. Barrier sixteen and her inability to notch up another victory are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Flying Valley @ $7.00
