Geelong
Race 1 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Jye McNeil
2400m – Barrier 12
Consistent galloper Wuddzz comes back in trip to 2400-metres this afternoon at Geelong. The gelded son of Complacent was rock-solid over 3000-metres at The Valley last time out, beaten under two lengths when finishing third and leaving a big gap back to the rest of the field. Jockey Jye McNeil leaves from the outside gate in a field of twelve today, likely forced back in the early stages and looking to travel into the race approaching the home bend.
Speed looks okay in the early stages with Daiquiri and Noonday Gun likely to roll forward from towards the outside, while expect Following Sea, Garachico and Bellakai to kick-up and hold their positions from nearer the rail. Bellakai has won two of her past three and looks suited to this trip today. She beat home subsequent Avoca Cup winner Any Luck last start at Mount Gambier and draws for a lovely run in this. One of the main chances. Hard to knock the winning form of Following Sea, albeit in lesser grade, who shoots for a hattrick of wins to begin his preparation. Each way claims. So too Muktamil, who is racing in good fashion this campaign, and Cherokee Brave, who hits this third-up and fitter. Garachico not hopeless following an improved showing at Caulfield last week. Tough race to start the card.
Wuddzz was given no favours at the barrier draw but does get first use of a track that should have some juice in it early in the day. His chances improve if the race is run at a genuine tempo, and if McNeil can build into the race at the right time, no surprise to see him somewhere in the finish. Each way claims.
Currently, Wuddzz is a $13 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 6 – Eddystone
Jockey – John Allen
1700m – Barrier 1
Promising Japanese import Eddystone has his second local start today, out to 1700-metres at Geelong. The gelded son of Heart’s Cry was sound at Bendigo over a mile last start, getting a long way back i the run before hitting the line nicely in a nod to getting out over more ground. Jockey John Allen draws the inside alley here and can let his galloper roll in the early parts, able to settle in the first half of the field throughout the race before looking for room in the home straight.
Speed is good in the early parts with Teser, Autumn Storm and Sky Out to use their low draws to punch through and hold forward positions, while expect He’ll Rip to come across from out wider and have a look for the top heading into the back. Wide open affair. Jackand will be forced back from a wide gate early but that fits in with his racing pattern. He’s a winner of three from five at this track, and the form through his fourth-placed run at Sandown two starts back is red-hot. If you can make ground, he’ll be charging late. So too Verifier, who is second-up from a spell. He just missed a placing behind Another Wil when second-up last time in, and his closing effort at Seymour when fresh suggests he’s come back well. Chance. Concede each way hopes to Midnight Glow, who had traffic problems at Hamilton last start, and Teser, who should get every chance from up near the speed.
Eddystone strips fitter for his first-up run and should be able to enjoy a soft trail closer to the speed today from the inside gate. He’ll be better again for today’s outing, but if he finds clear galloping room in the home straight, he can finish in the top six without surprising. Look for an improved showing.
Currently, Eddystone is a $31 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 9 – Electric Impulse
Jockey – Ben Allen
1500m – Barrier 10
Talented mare Electric Impulse gets blinkers on for the first time when she comes back to 1500-metres at Geelong this afternoon. The five-year-old daughter of Cable Bay didn’t get 1800-metres when leading at Sandown last time out, but was excellent when winning the start prior at Sale, edging out subsequent winner Freight Train in the process. Jockey Ben Allen rides from gate ten of eleven here and will drift back in the early parts, looking to hook out and chase the leaders in the home straight.
Speed is solid in this, with all of Oh Too Good, Small Town Hero, Our Couver and Hiyaam Proud to look for the top in the early stages, while Belthil can boot through and find a soft trail throughout from the inside barrier. Belthil resumes from a spell today on the back of a pair of sound trials. He’s won three from five when fresh and is unbeaten from two starts here. Strong claims. So too Modown, who comes back in grade following a solid effort at Sandown last start. Will get back and be hitting the line hard with Electric Impulse. Each way chances to Oh Too Good and Our Couver in a tough way to end the day.
Electric Impulse will be hoping there is some juice left in the track by this stage of the day, but she did let down strongly to win on a good track in the aforementioned race at Sale. She’ll get back in the field and will appreciate the predicted strong tempo of the race. Look for her to be charging late.
Currently, Electric Impulse is an $11 chance in the market.