Geelong
Race 3 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Jye McNeil
1512m – Barrier 11
Three-year-old filly Berry Foxie rises in distance when second-up at Geelong this afternoon. The daughter of Rommel failed to make an impact from the tail first-up at Bendigo, on a day where all bar one winner came from the leading division. She’ll appreciate a steadier tempo today, jockey Jye McNeil forced to drift back from a wide draw and look to finish off in the home straight.
Speed comes from out wide with Co Co Van Winkle to roll forward from the start, with Primber and Box Of Crackers to use their inside draws to boot through and hold prominent positions in the run. Co Co Van Winkle was only run down late here last start by Booboo Boogie, who has since run well up in grade. She can control the race from the front and presents fitter second-up. She’s the one to beat. Poetic Whisper stormed home from the back last start, finishing on the heels of Co Co Van Winkle in an improved performance. She’ll do no work in the run from gate one and could prove hard to hold out late. Fly Lie was good at Donald on a heavy deck first-up. He’ll be better for that run and must be considered a chance today. Concede an each way chance to Jive Turkey who worked home soundly here on debut a fortnight ago.
Berry Foxie will be better for her first-up run and can improve on firmer footing here. She’ll get back in the run and wind up in the home straight, with an eye to getting to a mile next start. She’ll find a few of these too sharp but look for her to be hitting the line late.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $27 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 4 – Frankie Divine
Jockey – Declan Bates
1212m – Barrier 5
Written Tycoon gelding Frankie Divine makes his racetrack debut at Geelong this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper has had several jumpouts leading into today, a suitable kickoff point for his preparation. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from gate five and will let his gelding settle where he’s comfortable from the outset.
Speed looks fair, with Pick Axe and Ferrimo to roll across from out wide, while Buddie Rippa will boot through from the inside alley. Pick Axe was good on debut at Sandown, runner-up behind Refreshing four weeks ago. That horse was unlucky not to win in much stronger company during the week, and this looks the strongest form coming into a race like this. Goes on top. Skywriter is first-up today, having run well at all three runs in her first campaign. She can tuck in just behind the speed and be right in the finish here. De La Rocha was good first-up and with natural improvement can be competitive again. Needs luck from an outside draw. Concede an each way chance to Ferrimo who gets blinkers for his second start.
Frankie Divine will improve on whatever he produces this afternoon. He will be better suited over more ground but will appreciate the improving conditions under foot. Look for him to be finishing off late.
Currently, Frankie Divine is a $41 chance in the market.