Geelong
Race 7 – Pittsburgh Pirate
Jockey – Neil Farley
2460m – Barrier 6
Pierro gelding Pittsburgh Pirate returns to his favourite track at Geelong this afternoon. The five-year-old gelding is unbeaten from two attempts at the Bellarine, and will benefit from the services of a senior rider engaged today. Neil Farley has won three times aboard the promising stayer and can roll forward from an ideal draw today, in a race that he can control from the front.
Muktamil and Highland Glory can challenge for the lead early on, both able to roll across from towards the outside, while Landgrave can box-seat from gate three heading into the back. Kodiak Bear was a good closing effort in the Sheep Hills Cup at Warracknabeal, and his effort three back at Caulfield was solid. If you ignore the flop at Sandown in between those runs, he shapes as hardest to beat in this. Muktamil broke a string of placings to post a strong maiden win at Bendigo last start and could be ready to go on with it. Big jump to this grade but no surprise to see him around the mark again. The race drops away from there, perhaps an each way chance to Mystic High, who gets out in trip for this.
Pittsburgh Pirate swaps blinkers for winkers after racing keenly in his past couple, with Farley looking to get his galloper to settle in the run today. He has the ability to be winning a race like this, and returning to Geelong could spark the improvement to do just that. Strong claims.
Currently, Pittsburgh Pirate is an $11 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 8 – Almonti
Jockey – Declan Bates
1755m – Barrier 6
Last start winner Almonti returns to Geelong today, five weeks since a strong victory at this track and trip. The gelded son of Dundeel boasts a win and a placings from two trips to the Bellarine, and barring a forgettable Adelaide sojourn, has been in good form throughout this preparation. Jockey Declan Bates rides again today and can find a position up on or just behind the speed in the early parts.
My Roca Fella will punch forward and look to settle handy from an inside draw, while Hartman has drawn to the immediate inside of Almonti and is likely to roll forward heading into the back. Boyfromwye will go back from the start and be put to sleep throughout the race, winding up for a last crack in the home straight. His racing pattern doesn’t lend itself to regular victories, but he is racing well and will be charging late. One of the main hopes. My Roca Fella had been racing well before rising in trip and failing badly at The Valley. Back in grade for this, no surprise to see him bounce back. Each way chances to Amphactor, who will appreciate getting back on top of the ground, and Late Arrival, who leaps from maiden grade but looks to have ability.
Almonti needs only to repeat his last start effort to be right in the thick of things here. He should find a position in the first four in running, and if Bates can get out and rolling at the right time, will prove hard to beat again.
Currently, Almonti is a $6 chance in the market.