Midweek racing at Geelong with form, odds and free race tips
GEELONG has a bumper card in store for punters this Wednesday with 10 races to choose from.
With meetings at Canterbury and Sunshine Coast attracting only small numbers due to the weather, Geelong has been able to draw in the numbers with every race featuring no less than 13 runners.
That’s some effort for the mid-winter meeting and we have form, odds and free tips for every race on the card.
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Race 1 – Now You’re In The Game Maiden (1100m)
Prepare To Win looks to have plenty of ability and it’s dropping back from racing in stakes company. The Lindsay Park-trained three-year-old ran second on debut before heading to the Talindert Stakes where it ran fifth. It didn’t fire last start, but this is much easier and it’s drawn to feature heavily.
True Excelsior is fresh up after scoring consecutive placings last campaign. The Corstens-trained filly by Exceed And Excel ran close behind the winner on debut at Moonee Valley and it ran a slick time when running third at Sandown second up. Drawing the rails will put it right into the race.
Race 1 tip: Prepare To Win at Bet365.com
Race 2 – Prestige Jayco Maiden (1300m)
Lindsay Park lines up Eltizaam which didn’t fire on debut before being sent for a spell. The well-bred son of Redoute’s Choice was the $2.60 chance on debut at Seymour, but it managed only fifth of seven runners. That didn’t inspire much confidence, but it looks a chance here and the betting market will indicate its winning chances.
Drysdale Spirit is having its 13th start and boasts only three placings to its name, but it ran well at Geelong last start and it deserves attention. The Andrew Sawden-trained four-year-old has placed in both starts at this distance and it could run another good race at each way odds.
Race 2 tip: Eltizaam to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 3 – Geelong Homes Plate (1300m)
Once Upon A Dream is looking to go one better after finishing second at Geelong two weeks ago. The Matt Cumani-trained three-year-old was solid in the market at $8 and it exceeded expectations when running with a half-length of the winner. It will likely improve from that outing, but drawing barrier 13 will make it tough. Craig Newitt rides at a light weight which helps.
Eira looks a nice type on debut and there will likely be some good tote support. The Danny O’Brien-trained colt is a nicely-bred type by Makfi out of an O’Reilly mare from New Zealand and that breeding usually goes well at midweek level. It’s another runner which should be kept an eye on in the market.
Race 3 tip: Once Upon A Time to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – B & B Aluminium Plate (1700m)
Pretty Mama has placed in three of its four starts to date and it was making good ground last start. The Nigel Blackiston-trained four-year-old has placed twice at this track which is ideal and it gets an aggressive rider in the saddle with Michael Walker and that should help its chances.
Miss Arrieta only battled in the slow going last start at Sandown, but it drops back to maiden grade after contesting rating 64 races and that will help. The four-year-old kept up with the likes of Reset Me I’m Wild earlier this preparation and that form should take it close in this.
Race 4 tip: Pretty Mama to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m)
There will be plenty of attention on Crystal Fountain which ended its last campaign with a perfect three-from-three record. The Freedman-trained four-year-old won two lowly-rated races to open its account before winning at Moonee Valley by just under a length over Witches. That was a strong effort for a mare which is bred to enjoy running in the wet and it should be tough to beat here.
Verstappen has loads of ability, but it doesn’t always show it. The O’Brien-trained gelding finished second behind Rich Charm in the Grand Handicap Sprint two starts ago and that form sees it winning this, but consistency is a problem after a poor run last start. It runs well fresh up and having Damien Oliver riding should help its cause.
Race 5 tip: Verstappen to place at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 6 – IGA Liquor Handicap (1100m)
Bastille was a brilliant winner of its first two starts before running into a smart field at Flemington. The Lindsay Park-trained entire won by 5.25 lengths on debut at Ballina before winning again at Sandown by 2.75 lengths. It started the favourite at Flemington, but that was too much too soon for it and the betting should indicate its chances. This looks a winnable target fresh up.
Demolition is fresh up since March and it has winning credentials. The James Cummings-trained gelding scored two quality wins in New South Wales last year and despite having some problems throughout its career, it clearly owns some sprinting talent. It’s drawn inside of Bastille and that could give it the advantage.
Race 6 tip: Bastille to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 7 – Jack Rabbit Vineyard Handicap (2400m)
Bit Of A Lad is just that and punters find it hard to follow. The Darren Weir-trained gelding by Ladoni ran on well last start, but it got miles too far back and was never a winning chance. It scored its only win three starts back by over three lengths and it’s a winning hope if it can repeat that effort.
Harvard is a dual-winner from 11 starts and it only narrowly went down at Geelong last start. The Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old has won and placed on this track and it typically makes its own luck out front. The son of Shocking is bred to enjoy seeing out the staying distances and it looks a strong each way prospect.
Race 7 tip: Harvard to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 8 – No Fuss Event Hire Handicap (1200m)
Single Rule is a talented mare which scored narrowly on debut before running 12th at Caulfield. The four-year-old was able to bounce back fresh up when placing at Geelong behind Channing and it will benefit from having that run. Drawing barrier two should see it land on the speed that will be a big assist in the large field.
Big Phil is off the couch for another preparation having scored fresh up last time in. The Greg Eurell-trained runner won narrowly at Sale in August of last year and it hasn’t raced since September, but conditions should suit here after the long break. Watch the market with interest.
Race 8 tip: Single Rule to win at Bet365.com
Race 9 – Viatek Handicap (1400m)
Blazing Socks has won twice from six starts and it wasn’t far behind them when running fifth at Sale last start. It has looked good in patches when winning at Sale and at Bendigo, so punters should keep it in their selections and it should be paying each way odds.
Giroux has taken on harder company than this and it went knocking on the door last start. The daughter of Sepoy went close at Bendigo and after two runs this time in it looks well-placed to score a win. It’s overdue for the four-year-old which finished second at Caulfield last preparation so stick with it.
Race 9 tip: Giroux to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 10 – Big Group Of Companies Handicap (1700m)
Tan Tat Trusting scored easily by two lengths at Sandown last start and a repeat effort could be on the cards. The Henry Dwyer-trained four-year-old must work from out wide in barrier 16, but Mark Zahra will try find a spot one out and it could come with a big burst late.
Villicana is in good form having won its last two starts, not at this level, but it should be respected. The four-year-old by All American has form on dry and wet tracks which helps and it has drawn to get all favours from barrier three. This should be a wide open field so consider.
Race 10 tip: Tan Tat Trusting to win at CrownBet.com.au