Hot weather means twilight racing, the stable have four runners engaged at Geelong later today.
Geelong
Race 2 – Toffee Street
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1143m – Barrier 3
Troubled four-year-old Toffee Street comes here after being a beaten favourite at Warrnambool first-up five weeks ago. The daughter of Street Boss didn’t have the best of luck there and has since had a freshen up, but the time is now to perform on raceday and chalk up an elusive win. Jockey Josh Cartwright should get all the favours from a good draw and settle behind likely leader Signal who leaves from gate one. Signal shapes as the hardest to beat here, while Magnus Red has been good at two runs back from a spell. Henry Dwyer’s mare must jump cleanly to be any chance at a track that has leant itself to runners on speed at its past few meetings.
Currently, Toffee Street is a $9.50 chance in the market.
Race 6 – Elmore Lad
Jockey – Neil Farley
1143m – Barrier 1
Stable newcomer Elmore Lad kicks off his preparation today, returning from a campaign in the Northern Territory for trainer Kym Hann. The eight-year-old veteran boasts modest fresh form and will be better suited with a run under his belt, stripping fitter for his next outing at the races. Jockey Neil Farley won’t bustle his gelding out of the gates, rather let him settle into his rhythm and look to finish strongly in the run home. Matthew Ellerton has the short-priced favourite here in Starlea who looks mighty hard to beat returning from BM-70 grade in town. The race opens up from there but the stable are keen to see Elmore Lad finish his race off and take improvement into his next run.
Currently, Elmore Lad is a $26 chance in the market.
Race 6 – Nightstick
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1143m – Barrier 3
The second of the Dwyer runners in this event is four-year-old gelding Nightstick who is second-up this afternoon. He endured a tough run fresh at Murray Bridge in a harder race and will appreciate the drop in class here. Mitch Aitken can enjoy a softer run from a good draw, likely to drift back and attack the line hard with a run already under his belt this campaign. The favourite looks very hard to toss but it would be no shock to see this Dwyer runner run into the placings late.
Currently, Nightstick is a $14 chance in the market.
Race 7 – Rock Dee Jay
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1343m – Barrier 6
Henry Dwyer is hoping Awesome Rock gelding Rock Dee Jay bounces back to form this afternoon following a head-scratching run at Stawell last week. The four-year-old enjoyed a good run throughout that race but didn’t finish off, tailing off a conspicuous last in a disappointing performance. The stable are unsure whether he has come to the end of his preparation but will know more after the running of the seventh event. This is an even contest with many hopes, but it is within the capabilities of the Dwyer runner if he shows up ready to perform. His runs prior to Stawell are all good enough to win this.
Currently, Rock Dee Jay is a $9 chance in the market.