Geelong will host Victoria’s major midweek program on Wednesday, and eight races are on the card.
The rail will be set out eight metres 1700m – 800m and ten metres the remainder, while at publish the track is rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 1:00pm – Maiden Plate, (1243m)
This is a tough way to start the day from a betting perspective and at publish, we’re faced with around $5 the field for this maiden contest.
Chart Buster returned a nice effort to finish second at Cranbourne when resuming, and he can go one better in this contest.
The Akeed Mofeed gelding showed promise during his debut prep, and something of this quality looks to be well within his abilities.
Race 2 – 1:35pm – All Time Plumbing 4YO+ Maiden Plate, (1443m)
I’m confident that Anthemic can run a race when he steps out in the second at Geelong Wednesday.
The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding mustered a nice turn of foot to fill the minors at Cranbourne when resuming, and he will enjoy plenty of improvement for that hit-out.
Luke Currie can settle in behind the early pace from barrier 8 and the horse can finish over the top of them.
Race 3 – 2:10pm – The Elephant And Castle Hotel 3YO Maiden Plate, (1443m)
He is a seven-start maiden who has placed just once in his career to date, but Tatsuro has been gelded since his last appearance at the races, and I am happy to have something on each-way at Geelong on Wednesday.
The three-year-old son of Maurice has shown glimpses of a decent galloper, and he did return his best effort to date at this point of his last preparation.
He has run into some quality horses, and this does look to be the weakest race that he has contested so far.
Race 4 – 2:45pm – McGrath Estate Agents Maiden Plate, (2460m)
He was a little disappointing at Bendigo last time, but I am going to give Slickback Teddy another chance in Race 4 at Geelong on Wednesday.
The Elvstroem gelding ran on well to finish second in an Echuca maiden when fresh, and he was forced to do quite a bit of work last time.
Fitter third-up and over the trip, I am happy to stick with him.
Race 5 – 3:20pm – APCO Service Stations BM64 Handicap, (2460m)
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program, and a horse like Trigger Point has claims on winning at a price ($13 at publish).
Trigger Point has returned some nice efforts in some decent races recently, and he takes his place in this field on the short back up, and following a credible effort for fourth in a tougher race at Mornington.
He gets in well under the conditions and we can have an each-way play.
Race 6 – 3:55pm – DMB Contracting Class 1 Handicap, (1342m)
Defiant Diva hasn’t been seen at the races since February, but she was excellent during her debut prep, and she can make a wining return at Geelong on Wednesday.
The Dissident mare missed placing once in four starts during her first prep, breaking her maiden at the Gold Coast and ending her campaign second in BM60 company.
She has had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to her return and looks primed to strike.
Race 7 – 4:30pm – JT Dixon BM64 Handicap, (1443m)
Drone Strike is over the odds ahead of Race 7 at Geelong on Wednesday ($21 at publish).
The Smart Missile mare has been a good horse for the McArdle stable since making her debut, and she has returned some quality performances and results in far better races than this one.
She returned with a credible effort for third in BM64 company at Moe earlier this month, and I am confident that run will have brought her right on.
Race 8 – 5:05pm – Prestige Jayco BM64 Handicap, (1755m)
He has been a little frustrating from a betting perspective this prep, but I am going to give Stelvio another chance in what looks an ideal race at Geelong on Wednesday.
The Lonhro gelding broke his maiden at Pakenham when resuming this time and has finished third in each of his three subsequent starts, all in Wednesday metropolitan company.
He is at peak fitness for Wednesday’s contest and won’t have any excuses.
