Geelong
Race 3 – Zuri Platoon
Jockey – Alysha Warren
1200m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old galloper Zuri Platoon is second-up and fitter when he stays at 1200-metres at Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Grunt raced greenly on debut at Mildura, finding the line fairly from the rear when fourth behind a capable galloper. Apprentice hoop Alysha Warren leaves from barrier eleven and will settle in the second half of the field, looking to finish off in the home straight.
Scratchings have claimed much of the early speed, leaving Happy Link, Lou Lou’s Choice and Winsome Flowers as the most likely to roll forward and take up the running from their respective middle draws. Happy Link resumes on the back of a pair of recent jumpouts, following two solid runs in her first preparation. She arguably should’ve won on debut when unlucky at The Valley, then finished runner-up to the smart Moby Dick next time out. That looks strong form for this, hardest to beat. River Rose was okay when resuming and strips fitter second-up today. She contested stronger races last time in and draws for a soft run from gate three. No surprise to see her in the money here. Each way chances to Duckie, who’s jumped out soundly for her debut, and Zloties, who resumes from a very long layoff. Lou Lou’s Choice next best.
Zuri Platoon will be better over more ground but does present fitter for today’s race. He’ll get back off a predicted steady tempo, which will likely make it difficult to make ground in the run home. If he settles in the run, he can find the line again in a pointer to next start.
Currently, Zuri Platoon is a $71 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 9 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Alysha Warren
1700m – Barrier 8
Six-year-old mare Friday At Five gets blinkers on for the first time at Geelong this afternoon. The daughter of Zoustar has been mixing her form of late, sound at Bendigo and Seymour either side of a plain run up in grade at Ballarat. Apprentice hoop Alysha Warren claims 3kg and can send her mare forward from the start, looking to land on or outside the speed heading into the back straight.
Stablemate Almonti can be positive from the outset and find a forward position in the run, while expect Cleitus and Barrington Manor to roll across from out wider on the course to apply some early pressure. Boyfromwye just missed at this track and trip when fourth-up from a spell last preparation and looks ready for this distance at the same point this time in. His runner-up effort behind The Autumn Belle in January reads well for this. One of the main chances, just needs luck from the widest alley. Boga Legend returns from Saturday metropolitan company for this, just missing at Caulfield four weeks ago. Has the advantage of the inside draw and his run here behind Schultzy is good enough to go close in this. Each way chances to Almonti, who looks to bounce back after a plain effort in Adelaide, and Settat, who is the forgotten runner in the market. Cleitus next best.
Friday At Five will get every chance from the front of proceedings today, able to take advantage of a light weight after Alysha’s claim. Her best is good enough to give this a real shake, and any on-speed bias is a positive. Each way claims.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $23 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 9 – Almonti
Jockey – Declan Bates
1700m – Barrier 5
Five-year-old galloper Almonti gets blinkers for the first time when he comes back in trip at Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Dundeel was impressive when winning at Swan Hill three starts back before a sound performance up in grade at Ballarat next time out. His last start effort in Adelaide was plain when out to 1950-metres, and back in trip could spur improvement today. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from gate five and can roll forward in the early parts, looking to settle in the front half of the field heading into the back.
Stablemate Friday At Five can be positive from the outset and find a forward position in the run, while expect Cleitus and Barrington Manor to roll across from out wider on the course to apply some early pressure. Boyfromwye just missed at this track and trip when fourth-up from a spell last preparation and looks ready for this distance at the same point this time in. His runner-up effort behind The Autumn Belle in January reads well for this. One of the main chances, just needs luck from the widest alley. Boga Legend returns from Saturday metropolitan company for this, just missing at Caulfield four weeks ago. Has the advantage of the inside draw and his run here behind Schultzy is good enough to go close in this. Each way chances to Cleitus, who is racing consistently, and Settat, who is the forgotten runner in the market. Friday At Five next best.
Almonti has jumped out well in blinkers since his Adelaide run and has drawn for an ideal run this afternoon. He’s better than that last start effort and anything near his best has him thereabouts today. Each way claims.
Currently, Almonti is at $15 chance in the market.