Wednesday feature racing continues this week and we are off to Geelong for another exciting edition of the Geelong Cup Day.
Three black type races headline the program and we will get another look at some genuine Melbourne Cup and Victoria Derby prospects.
You can find my complete 2021 Geelong Cup Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: 12:30pm – Avalon Airport BM70 Handicap, (2400m)
Tip: No. 6 Into Rio
Geelong Cup Day opens with a wide-open BM70 race contested over a mile and a half, and a horse like Into Rio has genuine claims at a price ($20 at publish).
Into Rio has continued to improve with each start back this time, culminating in a lovely win in BM64 company at Sale.
This is tougher, but he’s rock-hard fit, will relish getting further out in trip and is drawn to receive a lovely run under Beau Mertens.
Race 2: 1:00pm – City Of Greater Geelong BM70 Handicap, (1700m)
Tip: No. 1 Coolth
Coolth can return to winning form in the second on Geelong Cup Day.
The Dundeel gelding has found form around some handy gallopers since resuming, and he finished second behind Floating Artist at The Valley most notably.
He looks to be in peak condition for Wednesday’s assignment and Johnny Allen has options from the rails draw.
Race 3: 1:35pm – No Fuss Event Hire BM64 Handicap, (1400m)
Tip: No. 4 Turbeau
This looks to be one of the more open races on Geelong Cup Day and there is a case to be made for several gallopers, including Turbeau.
Turbeau returned to the races with a competitive effort for third behind the talented Rainbiel at Swan Hill last month and he takes his place in this field in winning form, having struck at Benalla last time.
Fitter third-up, he can strike again, and we can have an each-way play at around the $9 mark.
Race 4: 2:10pm – Plan Group BM64 Handicap, (1100m)
Tip: No. 2 Coolshot
Coolshot looms as the runner to beat in Race 4.
The John McArdle-trained gelding has made just four appearances at the races since debuting, but he has enjoyed a lovely start to his career.
Having stamped himself as a runner to follow when scoring on debut at Cranbourne, Coolshot wasn’t far from the winner at his next two and charged back into the winner’s stall at Murtoa last time out.
He strikes this race in peak order and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 5: 2:45pm – Hamilton Group Dual Choice Plate, (1200m)
Tip: No. 3 Leiter
I’m pretty keen on Leiter in Race 5 on Geelong Cup Day.
Leiter has been a great horse throughout his career and has struck in metro company several times.
He clearly needed the run when finished seventh, beaten four lengths by Curran at The Valley when resuming, but he is a horse who tends to enjoy sharp improvement with a run under his belt.
Having drawn to receive a nice run and with even luck, the $7.50 that is available at publish will prove over the odds.
Race 6: 3:20pm – Listed Geelong Classic, (2200m)
Tip: No. 5 King Of Pharaohs
A few genuine Victoria Derby contenders always come out of the Geelong Classic and we are set for a typically smart edition of the Listed race for three-year-olds.
Given that most of the runners engaged face a rise in class, it does look to be quite a level playing field, and I am going to have something on King Of Pharaohs.
King Of Pharaohs broke his maiden at Coleraine two starts back and takes his place in this field following a credible second in open company at Ballarat.
The rise in trip should suit and with even luck, he does look good enough.
Race 7: 4:00pm – Group 3 Geelong Cup, (2400m)
Tip: No. 8 Tralee Rose
The Geelong Cup looms as the perfect race for Tralee Rose.
I’ve put her on top, but you can find my race preview and complete 2021 Geelong Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
Race 8: 4:40pm – Listed Black Pearl Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 3 How Womantic
This is a quality edition of the Black Pearl Stakes, but I am a big fan of How Womantic, and I think she’ll take a power of beating.
How Womantic has been a great horse for the Maher & Eustace stables throughout her career and won five of her first six career starts in impressive fashion.
She kept all of her best work for late when third, beaten half a length in BM90 company at Sandown when resuming this time, and I am confident that she’ll enjoy huge benefit from that effort.
Race 9: 5:20pm – Oz Equipment Rentals BM78 Handicap, (1500m)
Tip: No. 15 Typhoon Harmony
Certainly not the easiest way to end the day from a betting perspective and there are several live chances in the market.
With that in mind, I’m keen to take some value and I think that it lies with Typhoon Harmony.
Typhoon Harmony returned a rare flat effort in Saturday metro company two starts back, but responded with a soft win at Mornington last time.
He is rock-hard fit, gets into this race well under the conditions and is drawn to receive every chance.
He is currently the race’s first emergency, but I am reasonably confident he will gain a start.