Geelong
Race 2 – Finnish Girl
Jockey – Jack Hill
1230m – Barrier 4
Four-year-old mare Finnish Girl makes her stable debut at Geelong this afternoon. The daughter of Deep Field had four starts at her previous stable, unable to make an impact on either occasion before a short spell and landing in Ballarat. Jockey Jack Hill leaves from a favourable draw today, able to roll forward and settle in the first few in running from the outset.
Ghidi will look to jump fast and cross to the lead from out wide on the course, while Think She Rocks, Hellofastorm and Boulder County can punch through and sit handy in the run. Not many with their hooves on the till here. Ghidi weakened out to run a distant third at Seymour last start, having gone close at her prior two starts. The wide draw is no help, but if the track favours those on pace, she can give a sight and prove hard to catch. Debutant Wolf Club has shown ability at the jumpouts and maps for a soft run in behind the speed. He’s been well-supported in betting and no surprise to see a forward showing today. Boulder County resumes six months after an uninspiring debut. She was pushed out to win a recent jumpout and could get a nice run up front. Each way chance.
Finnish Girl showed good speed in a recent Terang jumpout and will be fitter for that outing. She should get a nice run in the front half of the field and be able to finish the race off strongly. In a race of few chances, she’s an each way hope.
Currently, Finnish Girl is a $19 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 3 – Shesellsseashells
Jockey – Jack Hill
1230m – Barrier 10
Three-year-old filly Shesellsseashells makes her racetrack debut over 1230-metres at Geelong this afternoon. The daughter of Headwater has two recent jumpouts under her belt, the latest a good effort when third, crossing the line with an unbeaten galloper in Keitel. Jockey Jack Hill leaves from an outside barrier and will be forced back in the early parts, finding cover in the second half of the field before winding up in the run home.
Early speed looks genuine with Celestial Harmony, Zaaffair Steal and Easy Money to roll forward from the middle, while Diminutive and Free As The Wind can boot through from nearer the rail to hold prominent positions. Good maiden. Celestial Harmony resumes having been beaten four lengths by Southport Tycoon on debut at this track and trip. That horse won its next start before missing Steparty at Group-3 level by half-a-head. That’s solid form for maiden class and his latest jumpout suggests he’s forward enough to go close here. Hardest to beat. Easy Money and Free As The Wind both looked good winning their respective jumpouts, both are strong each way chances in this. So too Magnolia Lodge who will give up a start from gate two. Others with each way claims in a race that may pay to follow.
Shesellsseashells ran through the line nicely at her most recent outing and looks ready to run well on debut. She’ll get back from the gate, which could prove tricky on a track that has been favouring those on-speed of late. If we get a fair track, she can run into the top four without surprising.
Currently, Shesellsseashells is a $17 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 4 – Lupine
Jockey – Jamie Mott
1530m – Barrier 9
Improving galloper Lupine is second-up and fitter when he returns to Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Tivaci ran home strongly from the back when fresh, and will appreciate the extra distance today’s race offers. Jockey Jamie Mott can look to settle a little closer off a steadier tempo today, finding cover midfield or worse in the running line throughout the event.
Speed looks okay with Prince Of The Nile and Chance Romance to roll across early, while Ceremonious and Vilnius will boot through and hold their positions from nearer the rail. A few key hopes in this. Stablemates Vilnius and Ceremonious filled the placings behind a smart one at Cranbourne last start, albeit over five lengths astern from the winner on that occasion. They will both land forward and be able to control the race from the front, which has been advantageous at this track of late. Both will be in this for a long way. Need A Miracle has been sound at both runs in this preparation and looks suited up in distance. He should get a lovely run behind the leaders and get a crack at them in the straight. Mick Dundeel has jumped out well and has each way claims on debut.
Lupine will get his chance to wind up again today and make his presence felt late. He ran the second-fastest last 600-metres of the race when first-up, where only the winner went better that him. That galloper has since run well up in grade, and if Lupine can be close enough turning for home, he’ll take holding out late. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Lupine is a $5 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 5 – Villager
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1530m – Barrier 3
Inconsistent galloper Villager gets blinkers on for the first time when he heads to Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Walking Or Dancing has been well-beaten at his past two starts since winning at cricket score odds in November at Ararat. Jockey Madison Lloyd rides from gate three today and can be positive early, looking to hold a position closer to the front with the headgear applied.
Early speed is okay with Lafilio and Get In The Queue to punch forward from the centre, while Sailor’s Book and Italian Poet can roll forward from their respective outside//inside draws. Ferlazzo looks suited back to this grade today, having been sound in stronger company last start. He won well two starts back and only needs to repeat that effort to prove hard to beat here. Party At Artie’s is another dropping in class today, following a sound effort at Seymour last time out. Up in trip will suit and no surprise to see him right in the finish. Each way chances to Sailor’s Book and Lafilio.
Villager will need to show more than his last two outings to be competitive today, but the blinkers may illicit some improvement here. He’s drawn well, and if the mood takes him, he can run well.
Currently, Villager is a $51 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 6 – The Autumn Belle
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1741m – Barrier 6
Promising filly The Autumn Belle rises slightly in distance when she heads to Geelong this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun was impressive when a comfortable maiden winner oner a mile last start, and finds a suitable race to make it back-to-back wins today. Jockey Madison Lloyd retains the ride and can settle closer to the speed from a good draw, looking to land midfield with cover in the run.
The early speed battle appears willing, with many looking to find forward positions in the short run to the first bend. Makalu, Our Couver and La Gioia will go fast from outside gates, while Magnace and Figo The Great can boot through from nearer the rail. Starwisp has drawn the inside alley and will look kick-up and hold them all out, taking advantage of a 3kg apprentice claim. This galloper led and won in this grade over a mile last start, beating subsequent winner – and today’s rival – Warlist in the process. Both have each way claims in this. Boyfromwye and Paris Affair are down in class after filling the placings here three weeks ago. Both will enjoy any cut out of the ground and shape as each way hopes. Tenace and Our Couver the other main chances.
The Autumn Belle has run well in all three race starts and looks suited rising in trip today. She’s up in grade but has the natural ability to brush aside a field like this. Track bias will be important, but if it is playing fairly, she will be very hard to beat on even terms.
Currently, The Autumn Belle is a $3.20 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 7 – Gaze Grise
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1130m – Barrier 3
Six-year-old mare Gaze Grise comes back in grade when she heads to Geelong this afternoon. The daughter of Puissance De Lune was sound at Caulfield on Boxing Day when tracking wide around the home bend, and has drawn a better gate for today’s contest. Jockey Jaylah Kennedy can be positive in the early parts, looking to settle in the first two or three pairs from a favourable draw.
Scratchings have dulled the early speed, leaving Russian Front to rush across from the deep to look for the front early, while Tillotson will look to hold it out from the inside alley. This could set up nice trails for Gaze Grise, Fire Follower and Thunder Park who have all drawn ideal barriers. Stupendo had a forgetful outing at Caulfield last start but had been racing well prior. He beat home A Little Deep and Vagrant when runner-up at Ballarat on Cup day, that form reads well for this. Fire Follower was a strong maiden winner first-up, having contested strong races in his two-year-old campaign. Quickly up to 64-company but looks to have ability. Thunder Park and Sunburnt with minor claims.
Gaze Grise will enjoy the drop in class for today’s event, offsetting the rise in weight with Kennedy’s 3kg claim. If she begins with them and doesn’t leave too much to do in the back end of the race, she can finish in the top four without surprising.
Currently, Gaze Grise is a $17 chance in the market.