It’s Geelong Cup day on Wednesday, with a nine-event card headlined by the $500,000 Cup and the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) for the 3YOs.
The track was rated a Good 4 on Tuesday morning but the forecast looks nasty, with possible thunderstorms (up to 15mm of rain) hitting on raceday.
UPDATE: Track rated a Soft 5 at 10am on raceday but a further downgrade is expected.
The rail will be in the true position.
Best bests and suggested quaddie numbers below.
BEST BET
R8 No. 12 – STOLI BOLLI @ $2.50 (into $2 post-scratchings)
Stoli Bolli is bursting to win a race this prep and should get his chance with Shinn steering from barrier one. He’s had excuses in a couple of his defeats this campaign and for the most part, the form has stacked up well. He won his only previous start here at Geelong and has a race fitness edge on a few key rivals (quite a few first-uppers in this).
NEXT BEST
R6 No. 1 – SHINY NEW DEEL @ $5 (into $3.40 post-scratchings)
This horse has well and truly struck form and only needs to run up to his last-start effort to take plenty of beating in this. He was utterly dominant there with 60kg and it’s no surprise that Shinn sticks. He goes up ever so slightly in grade and weight but he’s drawn perfectly in barrier six. He went very close to knocking off Revelare in a BM78 when deep into his last campaign.
BEST VALUE
R5 No. 14 – SIMPLY GOLD @ $31 (into $19 post-scratchings)
Others are coming out of much stronger races class-wise but I’m confident Simply Gold will run the 2200m right out. The son of Savabeel should have finished closer over 2000m last start and there has been merit in all three runs to date. Winkers go on for the first time and senior rider Jamie Mott takes over from an apprentice.
GEELONG CUP TIP
R7 No. 7 – GILDED WATER @ $2.35
Gilded Water ran well in defeat last start after completely overdoing it out in front. Melham fired him up early from the wide gate and lost control of him as he put a huge margin on the rest. A norton bit goes on for the first time and Bates jumps aboard from a perfect gate (barrier four). He was impressive winning over 2000m at Caulfield two-back and looks very well-placed provided he behaves.
QUADDIE
1, 3, 5, 8
3, 4, 5, 7
6, 12
1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13