Geelong
Race 1 – Wannon Rebel
Jockey – John Allen
2460m – Barrier 4
Improving stayer Wannon Rebel is third-up and fitter when he heads to Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Rebel Raider has jumped out well with blinkers since his last start, and keeps the headgear for today’s race. Jockey John Allen leaves from barrier four and can look to settle one or two pairs back with cover and enjoy a soft run throughout.
Short-priced favourite Knentii looks as likely as any to go forward in this, while Arthurian Princess may elect to roll forward with blinkers applied for the first time. Scratchings leave us with a field of eight, and the remaining runners boasting very limited wet track form. Time Lucas is third-up and both career placings have come on heavy surfaces. He split a pair of subsequent winners at this stage of his preparation last time in work and no surprise to see him improve today. Knentii has been around the mark all four runs this preparation and is closing in on a win. No placings from five attempts on soft tracks the query, and couldn’t dive in at the price. Arthurian Princess was over four lengths astern of Knentii last start but can improve sharply third-up and with the gear change. Others look stretched.
Wannon Rebel is ready to improve third-up today and did look sharper in his recent jumpout. He meets opposition with plenty of convictions today and has more upside than most in this field. He’s unknown in race conditions on a soft deck but if he handles it okay, can be right in the thick of the finish here. A genuine each way chance.
Currently, Wannon Rebel is a $5 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 4 – Lubly Sing
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1240m – Barrier 2
First-starter Lubly Sing kicks off her racing career on soft ground at Geelong this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Lean Mean Machine has jumped out soundly in preparation for her debut, and draws for a lovely run in transit from barrier two. Jockey Madison Lloyd can let her filly jump and find her feet early on, allowing her to settle into a nice rhythm early doors.
Small field post-scratchings but a few will look for the top from the start. Tuscan Storey will look to roll across from the outside gate and control the race, while Abstracted and Rubilara won’t be far away on settling. Zaszou has been slowly away in a pair of recent trials but finished off strongly under no riding on both occasions. She got through the soft ground well in a Colac jumpout and looks ready to perform on debut here. Tuscan Storey was solid when third at Mornington and presents fitter second-up. She’ll give a kick from the front and take running down. Abstracted has been good at two runs this time in and peaks third-up today. She’ll likely have the sit on Tuscan Storey and could have the last crack. Others with each way claims in an even affair.
Lubly Sing will improve on whatever she does today, but does find a nice race to begin her career. She should get a nice trail throughout, and Lloyd can find the better going in the straight to let down and run on late. She can run top four without surprising.
Currently, Lubly Sing is a $41 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 5 – Kasami
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
1240m – Barrier 1
Shooting To Win mare Kasami finds a wet track when she races fourth-up at Geelong this afternoon. The six-year-old galloper hasn’t been at her best on dry surfaces so far this preparation, but looked good in a recent jumpout and is ready to improve with conditions on her side today. Jockey Celine Gaudray leaves from the inside alley and can let her mare roll forward early, looking to hold hold the front heading into the home bend.
Speed comes from the outside with Deprivation to roll forward, while Our Warrior may come across with it in the early parts. Several chances in this. Deprivation will look to get every chance from the front and can take advantage of an apprentice claim. He’s racing well, but does he want it dry? On the flip side, all of Toff Choice’s top three results (14:3-0-3) have come on soft ground, and his first-up effort was sound at Pakenham. He was two lengths off Jenniferwish who looked stiff not to finish closer at Sandown last week. No placings from three second-up attempts, but bound to be improved after a long layoff. All the form around Xtramagic is solid and her run at Donald against the pattern was good from the back. May struggle to make ground with the rail out today however. We’ll know by this stage of the day. Harmonious Senora has jumped out well for a new stable, and should enjoy a soft trail here.
Kasami gets conditions to suit today and is ready to peak after three runs this time in. If she can hold the front and find the better going in the home straight, she’ll give a kick and can be in this for a long way. An each way chance.
Currently, Kasami is a $14 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 7 – Pannier
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1440m – Barrier 9
Resuming galloper Pannier kicks off his preparation over 1440-metres at Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Tavistock has had just one jumpout leading into today’s race, where he’ll likely find a few too slick at this shorter trip. Jockey Madison Lloyd jumps from the outside barrier and will drift back early on, looking to hook out around the bend and let her gelding run on late.
Regal Zeus will roll forward from a wide gate and look to find the front early on, while Shalily will punch forward from nearer the rail and hold its position heading into the bend. The latter won at this track last start and will be hoping conditions stay in the soft-to-heavy range throughout the day. She’s racing well and no reason she can’t post back-to-back wins here. Imasuperstar was very unlucky not to finish closer at Ballarat last start when running into trouble at every opportunity. He’s racing well and only needs even luck to figure in this. Regal Zeus will make his own luck from on speed and is the other main hope.
Pannier will appreciate some give in the ground today, but will find this distance well short of his best. He’ll get back and take good improvement from the run, look for him to be warming up late in the piece.
Currently, Pannier is a $19 chance in the market.