A big team of runners heads to Geelong today, including a hattrick of debutants kicking off their racing careers.
Race 2 – Brung King
Jockey – Damien Thornton
1447m – Barrier 7
The Dwyer stable unveil three-year-old debutant Brung King in what looks a strong maiden early in the program. The son of Crackerjack King has jumped out well recently at Burrumbeet, working into his heat nicely and running through the line under light riding. The 1447-metres will test his fitness first-up but breeding suggests we’ll see the best of him out to a mile and beyond. Jockey Damien Thornton can ease back from a middle gate and find cover in the second half of the field, looking to pick-off some runners in the run home and hit the line strongly. Lips Don’t Lie for the Price/Kent stable and Yaki Ishi for Griffiths/de Kock have claims on this race, and the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Saint Lazare could be an improver second-up.
Currently, Brung King is a $23 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Miss Carson
Jockey – Will Price
1147m – Barrier 4
The stable have two runners engaged in the fifth event, with Miss Carson making her racetrack debut for the team. The daughter of Palentino was given an easy time at the Burrumbeet trials earlier in the month, and while she’s likely to find today’s run short of her best trip, she did show good speed in a Geelong jumpout so jockey Will Price may find himself camped behind the leaders when runners find their positions.
Currently, Miss Carson is a $19 chance in the market.
Race 5 – George The Giant
Jockey – Damien Thornton
1147m – Barrier 8
George The Giant also begins his raceday career today, the four-year-old gelding tasting raceday pressure for the first time alongside his Ballarat stablemate. The son of talented – yet troubled – sprinter Sports Edition will appreciate the shorter trip, but jockey Damien Thornton may find himself posted wide in the short run to the turn from a tricky gate. Maher and Eustace have the one to beat here with Greece fresh from a spell. The race opens up after that.
Currently, George The Giant is a $31 chance in the market.
Race 9 – Alors Tu Crois
Jockey – Will Price
1447m – Barrier 2
Alors Tu Crois begins her four-year-old campaign today on the back of a speedy jumpout on the Ballarat synthetic last week. The daughter of So You Think took a few runs to hit her straps in her first preparation but looks to have returned well after nearly six months away from the track. Will Price can settle leader’s back from a good draw or even push forward and hold a prominent position in the run. The four-year-old mare ended her three-year-old season in Listed company and the stable may again look for black type later in the preparation as she steps out over a mile. Today’s race looks an even affair, conceding chances to Luke Oliver’s Justdoit, Untouchable Ed for Symon Wilde and Billy Mav could be a knockout hope for Paul Presuker. The chances don’t end there.
Currently, Alors Tu Crois is a $12 chance in the market.
Race 10 – Firebase Coral
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
1447m – Barrier 4
Firebase Coral is aiming for back-to-back wins after knocking over her maiden at Casterton earlier this month. The five-year-old mare will be twenty-five days between runs and may again race on the fresh side – something Dwyer attributed her recent victory to – and could be key in keeping this runner in good form. Jockey Blaike McDougall can give his mount a good run behind the speed and look to peel out in the home running to chase after the leaders, giving backers an honest run for their money. This is another open contest with many chances; the pattern of racing on the day may be the best guide for the final race on the card.
Currently, Firebase Coral is a $31 chance in the market.