The Geelong Cup will take place on Wednesday, a historic race where the winner usually goes on to race in the Melbourne Cup.
Media Puzzle and Americain are a couple of previous winners who come to mind, while we can’t forget the Listed Geelong Classic too which is always a great race to watch and bet on.
With perfect weather conditions predicted with a sunny 22 forecast, it should be a big day for the city on the bay.
The track has been upgraded to a Good 4 with the Maher & Eustace trained Interpretation the likely favourite. Ben Melham takes the ride and although he is not in my best bets, he is my selection.
Check out our free preview for the Geelong Cup and racing tips for the day below!
Geelong Racing Tips: Wednesday, October 19th
Race 1
(9) Outback Jack seems to go well on all track conditions and Lindsay Smith has put the GOAT (Damien Oliver) on so he must be confident in a positive showing from the gelding who has placed in half of his 10 starts to date. He ran a good third at Bendigo last start before Smith decided to give him a trial against some strong types in readiness for this maiden. He will settle around midfield and the 2400m should be of no disadvantage.
(11) Jilted Lover is in great form having won his last two and having placed in his last five starts. He is another who can handle all conditions and he does have a quality jock in Blake McDougall on board.
(12) Token Spirit will want a Soft track to race on and will want to start better this time. If he gets both, he can run top three.
(1) Sous Les Nuages won well at Morphettville on October 1 and will run a strong 2400m.
(9) Outback Jack WIN
$3.80 (2 Units)
Race 2
(2) French Emperor has won two of five starts on Soft tracks so conditions should suit. Jamie Kah is on board and after a poor two weeks in the saddle she will be wanting to make amends in the next few weeks. The son of Tavistock/Special Memories got the money at Mornington on a Soft 5 beating my second selection by two lengths.
(5) Tobaysure needs to make up a couple of lengths on French Emperor and if the track dries out really well can do it. Zac Spain stays on and he will likely settle on pace from barrier 11.
(7) Gulf of Saros was backed to win at Cranbourne when fourth last start but is fitter now. He likes racing on Soft tracks and the stable does have a good record on this race day.
(8) Notes won't want any more rain and is fitter after winning a recent jumpout at Terang.
(2) French Emperor WIN
$4.00 (2 Units)
Race 8 - Geelong Cup
Over 2400m the winner can gain a start in the Melbourne Cup if connections choose to go down that path.
In a hard race for punters to dissect due to the changing of the weather and track conditions, I think the Maher & Eustace trained (19) Herman Hesse comes into play now that the track is improving and the fact that he will only carry 54kg today.
(12) Interpretation the stablemate is my on top selection but I think the stable can actually quinella the race now. Herman will race on pace whereas Interpretation will be running on. Interpretation is currently rated a $4.50 chance and has drawn well in barrier four. He is a genuine stayer and should not be trapped wide like he was last start when third in the Bart Cummings at Flemington.
If you want value, Herman Hesse gained run with this morning's scratchings and is currently quoted a $11.00 chance, backed in from $13.00 at 9am...I'm backing the quinella. But for punters who want to play the WIN, both horses are at fair odds I would suggest.
Also backing: (19) Herman Hesse - $11.00 at Palmerbet
(12) Interpretation
$4.50
Race 9
(5) Katalin will want the rain to stay away and if it does it is a big chance. She raced well in a Group 2 race at Rosehill (Golden Pendant) last time when sixth, but it was the margin of 1.5L which caught the eye. James McDonald comes back on, and he does know her well. She will likely settle slightly worse than midfield, but I think she was set for a race like this after her Group 2 effort and the Cummings team will have her primed.
(2) Juan Diva is another who will want a dry track and is going into this race fresh. She has trialed well at Rosehill in the lead up and did win well at Eagle Farm before that.
(8) Larkspur Run likes the Soft track and did just miss (second) in a good race at Randwick two starts back. Has been in the money nine from 16 and is an each-way bet.
(9) Cardigan Queen is another one who is fresh but has raced in harder races than this previously. Has won first up before.
(5) Katalin WIN
$3.80 (2 Units)
Race 10
(11) Chartres has only won one from six on the Soft ground but ran a good fourth at Sandown Hillside on the ground two starts back when only beaten half a length. Before that Chartres was sixth to the talented Scallopini at Flemington after making up good late ground there also. At good odds he can be storming down the outside here.
(6) Megamea is consistent and very fit so must be included. She ran a good sixth behind the quality Excelida last start and lost no admirers from that effort.
(7) Maximus Prime likes the ground and has had two solid jumpouts after a two-month spell. He wasn't beaten too far during the winter at city meetings and can surprise.
(10) Beltoto has a wide barrier in 15 for Craig Williams but that may help if the wider going is better in what is the last race of the day.
(11) Chartres WIN
$9.00 (1 Unit)
