The Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) is one of the key races leading into the Melbourne Cup with the winner guaranteed a spot in the race that stops a nation.
Several internationals will be making their Australian debut on Wednesday, which in turn has left the market completely wide open.
We’ve run the rule over each and every hopeful in our 2020 Geelong Cup tips Preview below.
San Huberto
The lightly raced San Huberto will make his Australian debut on Wednesday hoping to join a long list of internationals in the Melbourne Cup.
The Matt Cumani-trained five-year-old has run into the money in two of his four runs in France this year and is hoping to improve on a last start eighth first-up at Deauville.
San Huberto is a perfect two-from-two second-up and does have some minor place claims coming off a two-month let up.
Ashrun
Ashrun is looking to break his streak of back-to-back runner up’s when he steps out on Australian soil for the first time.
The French import finished second to Call the Wind in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) back in August – a race that went on to produce the 2014 Melbourne Cup winner, Protectionist.
Ashrun has been well-supported in Ladbrokes’ All-In Melbourne Cup market and remains the horse to beat in Wednesday’s field under last year’s Cup winner, Craig Williams.
King Of Leogrance
King Of Leogrance strips fitter for his first-up run when 13 of 15 in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes behind Verry Elleegant.
The son of Camelot has found the money in three of his four runs second-up from a spell and looks a genuine contender in a much easier contest.
Le Don De Vie
Le Don De Vie kept finding to win the Listed August Stakes (2303m) by two lengths at Windsor and looks a worthwhile each-way play in his Australian debut.
The British raider is coming off a two-month let-up and should be doing his best work late under the in-form Ben Melham.
Skyward
Skyward won four of his seven starts back home in France and is coming off a last start fourth in the Group 2 Prix Foy behind Anthony Van Dyck, who finished second to Verry Elleegant in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
The son of Camelot is clearly a horse of ability and he should be afforded very opportunity from barrier 6 under William Pike.
Shared Ambition
Shared Ambition has been thereabouts in his last two starts and can take improvement into the Geelong Cup.
The Chris Waller five-year-old ran on for second behind Taikomochi in the Group 3 Kingston Town at Randwick and was far from disgraced when fifth in the Group 3 Bart Cummings a fortnight ago at Flemington.
He should find this much easier over a distance he’s won at before and might be a little over the odds.
Steel Prince
Steel Prince has a proven track record over this distance where he’s won twice previously.
The Freedman-trained seven-year-old struggled in his return to the races finishing third-last in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes before finding the placings in two subsequent runs at Group 3 level in the Naturalism and Bart Cummings.
The form out of those races suggests he can figure somewhere in the photo.
Platinum Invador
Platinum Invador has showed steady improvement in his three runs since journeying to Australia.
The Peter Moody-trained galloper finished sixth behind Junipal on debut before finding the placings in the Group 2 Herbert Power at Caulfield over the 2400m just over a week ago.
The wide draw might make things tricky for Luke Nolen, but he’s certainly not out of this.
Sound
Sound is hoping to earn a spot in the Melbourne Cup for the second year in a row after finishing 12th in last year’s race.
Michael Moroney’s German import finished second in the Auckland Cup back in March and has also found the placings in two of this three runs this time in.
The eight-year-old hasn’t won in over two years, but he could be worth a shout in exotics.
Creedence
Creedence is having his second run back from a spell following an okay effort when sixth in the Bart Cummings.
The son of Helmet has won three of his six starts this year across Flemington and Moonee Valley, but is likely to find this much tougher going.
Entente
Entente is shooting for a hat-trick after winning the Port Macquarie Cup (2000m) 12 days ago.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained four-year-old is untested beyond the 2000m and might find this a little beyond him rising in grade.
Geelong Cup Tip
3 King Of Leogrance at $9.00
