Feature racing returns to Geelong this Saturday with the Coastal Classic and the Listed Black Pearl Stakes headlining the 10-race program.
We’ve scoured the card for winners, so be sure to read our thoughts on every race below.
Race 1: Elegance Tiles Geelong BM64 Handicap (1700m) – 11:15am AEDT
Eishaa continues to race well despite being up for quite a while.
The Smart Missile mare saw her winning streak undone at Caulfield last month, although she hardly lost any admirers when stalking the speed and storming the line late for third in a big finish.
She’s well-weighted again here, and despite the tricky gate, there’s been a lot to like about that form since.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Eishaa
Race 2: Rex Gorell Geelong Diamond (1100m) – 11:45am AEDT
This could turn out to be a strong form race with the majority of these showing plenty at the trials and jump outs.
Tarpaulin is the only one in the field with a start to his name, one that was worth forgiving at Randwick where he copped some interference and was held up badly at the top of the straight.
Damian Lane has been a hot hand of late, which should come in handy from a slightly awkward gate.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Tarpaulin
Race 3: Geelong Racing Club Community Cup BM70 Handicap (1400m) – 12:20pm AEDT
Explosive Thinker is worth sticking with despite a flat showing at Caulfield second-up.
His fresh win at The Valley was eye-catching, but he failed to produce when given every chance last time out, beaten 3.5 lengths in the end.
I’m willing to forgive him on that effort though given it was a soft track that day, and if he can cross and find cover early from the wide gate, I think he’s a definite bounce-back candidate.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Explosive Thinker
Race 4: Canadian Club BM70 Handicap (2400m) – 12:55pm AEDT
Commander Harry should ahve plenty left in the tank given this is just his fourth run back.
He’ll carry some big weight around for his troubles, but it’s tough to knock a horse that won well at Caulfield last month after bursting into the clear in his final few strides.
In terms of class, he’s got something on most of these, and he’s no query over 2400m, either.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Commander Harry
Race 5: SCAADA Group 3YO Handicap (1100m) – 1:30pm AEDT
Let’s Get Down appeals at each-way odds.
This lightly-raced son of Better Than Ready has made only two starts to date, winning well on debut on the synthetic at Pakenham prior to a massive effort up in grade for second at Sandown to wrap up his winter prep.
He’s since won a trial that has produced some decent form in the lead up to his return, and with Daniel Stackhouse booked to ride, I think we’ll see him finishing strongly if he gets a run from midfield.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Let’s Get Down
Race 6: The Valley Inn BM84 Handicap (1100m) – 2:05pm AEDT
Hard to bet against the promising Rey Magnerio here on return.
The last we saw of the Magnus gelding was on Champions Day at Flemington where he let down with an impressive turn of foot to score by 1.75 lengths.
The form from that has been franked since, and given he might have bigger races in his sights, a hat trick looks very much in his grasp.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Rey Magnerio
Race 7: Brandt Colac BM84 Handicap (1400m) – 2:40pm AEDT
Pal D’oro could give this a genuine shake at double-figure odds.
The Maher and Eustace sprinter was first-up off a lengthy spell at Caulfield last month where he sped out and only weakened late to finish midfield in the end.
Racing over 1400m first-up was a tough ask, but fitter now and proven second-up, he could figure.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Pal D’oro
Race 8: Coastal Classic (1700m) – 3:20pm AEDT
Keats has been around the mark all prep, winning two back at Werribee with a couple of solid performances in Listed and Group 3 company on either side.
He tried hard before coming undone around the 200m mark over the same trip at Caulfield on Boxing Day, but certainly lost no admirers holding on for another place.
From the soft gate, he maps the likely leader, and if he gets an easy time of it out front, he should take catching.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Keats
Race 9: Listed SEN Geelong Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) – 4:00pm
Eternal Flame has gone up a nice quote for a mare making her return to the races.
The Sacred Falls four-year-old won in arrogant fashion at Sandown back in August, following that effort up only fairly a few weeks later where the tempo and conditions never really suited.
She appeared in good order during a recent jump out though, and given the turn of foot we’ve seen her display previously, a race like this is well within her grasp.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 Eternal Flame
Race 10: Naked Life Non-Alcoholic Spirits F&M BM70 Handicap (1400m) – 4:40pm AEDT
Sisterhood follows a similar leadup to the one that saw her win quite well at The Valley three weeks ago.
The Maher and Eustace-trained mare has put together a tidy resume to start her career, and although she’s drawn a tricky gate, she should find racing over further to her liking based on the way she hit the line last time out.
This is tougher, but unbeaten this prep and plenty fit, she looks up to the task.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Sisterhood
