The HDR stable has two runners today in PANNIER and MAGIC CITY at GEELONG.
Geelong- Soft (7)
As at Saturday, the track is rated a Soft 7 with a few showers moving through the area during the afternoon. The reality is it will be a rain-affected track but it seems unlikely to get into that really heavy range. The rail is out 3m after racing very well at the most recent meeting when the rail was true. I’d expect the inside section to hold up for the first half of the meeting then they may ease away as the meeting goes on. The track should race very well, as it generally does. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
Race 1 (12:20pm) 1212m bet365 Odds Drift Protector 2YO Maiden Plate
No.16 PANNIER – Mitch Aitken (Barrier 2)
PANNIER (2) makes his debut at Geelong on Sunday in a 1212m Maiden (Race 1, 12.20pm). He has drawn gate two and Mitch Aitken rides.
PANNIER has drawn well for his debut, which is the first part of the puzzle sorted. He is a massive price in early betting and while he does look like he will benefit from whatever he does on Sunday he does seem big odds. He worked to the line quite nicely in his Burrumbeet jump-out but was a touch plain at Horsham most recently. He doesn’t look like the type of horse that is going to just go straight to the front and run them ragged but he shouldn’t get too bad a run just in behind the speed. He seems like a horse that will get better as the distances get longer but the 1212m on a lovely, big track should give him a great experience on debut.(Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $67 (as at 11am)
Race 3 (1:30pm) 1212m Andrews & Co Maiden Plate
No.6 MAGIC CITY – Mitch Aitken (Barrier 6)
MAGIC CITY (6) heads to Geelong on Sunday where he will contest a 1212m Maiden (Race 3, 1:30pm). He has drawn gate six and Mitch Aitken will ride.
MAGIC CITY should relish the sting out of the ground with his best career runs coming on soft tracks back in October and November. The 1212m looks an ideal kick-off point to his campaign and from gate six he should get a lovely run with the blinkers off for the first time. For mine, he has been just ‘fair’ in his jump-outs but this is a most suitable race for him first up. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $7 (as at 10am)
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