We’re sending the big float to Geelong for a team of runners at Geelong.
Geelong
Race 1 – Equatori
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1109m – Barrier 3
Henry Dwyer’s Toronado filly Equatori lines up for her second race start from the 1109-metre chute at Geelong this afternoon. The three-year-old was sent back to the jumpouts following a moderate debut on the synthetic in October, where she failed to feature in the closing stages. Her latest trial was encouraging however, winning the 850-metre heat in a comfortable gallop at Ararat a fortnight ago. Mitch Aitken rides the filly from a good draw here and can be prominent in the run, with an opportunity to drop in behind either of the speedy debutants drawn on her inside. The market correctly indicates this is an open event, with no clear standouts from the raced brigade mixing with some good performances at the jumpouts. The Dwyer runner may be suited over a little more ground but has her chance to show improvement at her second career start here,
Currently, Equatori is a $15 chance in the market.
Race 2 -Lily Luella
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1309m – Barrier 12
Lily Luella kicks off her racing career over a suitable 1309-metre trip in the second event today. The daughter of Siyouni had a number of jumpouts throughout winter before a let-up, returning to the trials in the past month in preparation for debut. While she’ll likely find her rivals too slick here, the three-year-old filly will take benefit from today’s run and improve as she steps up in distance at her next few starts. This is another race rich in first-starters, with Might Just Happen a knockout chance at battlers odds. Of the raced, Rebillyous was good at Mornington from the back while Tolpuddle ran third to Blue Sapphire winner Grand Impact at his only race start.
Currently, Lily Luella is a $27 chance in the market.
Race 3 – Scarlet Desire
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
1209m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Scarlet Desire is first-up today, following a seven month break since her debut at this track in May. She was unable to make an impact from the back that day in what has turned out to be a hot form race. The daughter of Written Tycoon has trialled soundly this preparation and looks set to run a more competitive race fresh today, albeit at a trip she’ll find short of her best. Blaike McDougall should get a soft run from a good draw and give his mount every hope to run into the prizemoney late in the piece. Ex-kiwi galloper Belthil looks smart and is the obvious danger here, conceding chances to Deminaur and Mirroring.
Currently, Scarlet Desire is an $11 chance in the market.
Race 7 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1109m – Barrier 12
Another runner first-up from a spell today is four-year-old mare Friday At Five. This galloper strung a hattrick of placings together before breaking through last preparation, however today’s sprint trip will be well short of her favoured galloping range. The stable will be looking for their Zoustar runner to be hitting the line nicely and gaining a good fitness base for second-up/third-up starts out to a mile. Mitch Aitken will go back from a wide draw and find cover, hoping to hit the line full of running in the final furlong. This is a really open contest and a case could be made for several horses to win this, so leave me out.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $23 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Kyteler
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1409m – Barrier 3
Stable newcomer Kyteler drops in grade today from his last start effort at Bendigo seven weeks ago. He ran third there over a mile behind a smart quinella but comes back to 1409-metres today for his first start in the Dwyer camp. The Shamus Award gelding has drawn well here for Tahlia Hope and should enjoy a good run throughout, though we’ll see the best of him over a little more distance next start. The four-year-old is a chance to run into the prizemoney here and has jumped out nicely at this track in a recent gallop. Hardest to beat is clearly Capital Express for Nick Ryan, but the race open up outside of her.
Currently, Kyteler is a $2 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Irish Butterfly
Jockey – Maddi Price
1409m – Barrier 6
Irish Butterfly is the last of Dwyer’s fresh runners today, lumping a big weight over 1409-metres in the final event. The seven-year-old son of O’Reilly boasts an impressive first-up record (7: 1-3-1) and will enjoy being on top of the ground to kick off his campaign this afternoon. Apprentice hoop Maddi Price claims 3kg off his back, but the gelding will still carry 62kg at a trip he’ll find short of his best. Price will drift back from a middle draw and need luck late in running to feature in the finish, however the stable are keen to see their runner hit the line hard and pick off runners in the straight. This horse will derive benefit from today’s run and be better second-up over a little further.
Currently, Irish Butterfly is a $9 chance in the market.