Geelong has an eight-race card on Wednesday afternoon, starting at 3:05pm (Melbourne time) and running into the evening. The first four races are maidens, so there is plenty of lightly raced form to sort through, and the better betting races come later in the day. Prices below were taken on Tuesday evening and will move.
Bella Verona in Race 7 is our headline bet. Hedjet in Race 3 is the shortest-priced runner we like, and Fringilla in Race 2 also looks hard to beat.
Race 1 - Ladbrokes Tote Win +10% In October Maiden Plate (2270m)
Selection: Cold Shower Current odds: $2.30
Cold Shower was third at Ballarat at only her second start and has a good inside draw for this long trip. She is the right favourite. Winter Arc was fifth at Warrnambool but should be on the pace and could be hard to run down. Al Jadith was making ground late at Kilmore over a shorter trip and should like the step up. Obsidian Stone is backing up quickly after a poor run at Ballarat but does finish off well.
Selections:
- Cold Shower - $2.30
- Winter Arc - $6.00
- Al Jadith - $5.50
- Obsidian Stone - $8.50
Race 2 - Roderick Insurance Brokers Maiden Plate (1765m)
Selection: Fringilla Current odds: $2.30
Fringilla ran second over this track last time and has drawn to get a nice run behind the speed. She looks the one to beat. Murshidi was third at Bendigo, beaten a length and a half, and is the main danger. Nightowl was fourth at Bendigo and is a fair each-way price. Challenging was fourth at Kilmore and has the gate to get handy early.
Selections:
- Fringilla - $2.30
- Murshidi - $3.20
- Nightowl - $13.00
- Challenging - $16.00
Race 3 - Connect Tel Maiden Plate (1447m)
Selection: Hedjet Current odds: $1.90
Hedjet was second at Seymour and has had a solid start to his career. Ben Melham riding for Clinton McDonald is a strong combination, and he is the strongest favourite on the card. Silky Seth was third here, under a length from the winner, and has drawn the rail. Ambitious Achiever resumes after 22 weeks but was second first up last time and has a good draw, so he is worth an each-way bet at the odds. Sacre Bleu is a long shot.
Selections:
- Hedjet - $1.90
- Silky Seth - $3.90
- Ambitious Achiever - $10.00
- Sacre Bleu - $34.00
Race 4 - McGrath Estate Agents Maiden Plate (1247m)
Selection: Civic Square Current odds: $2.70
Civic Square resumes from a break after a fifth on a heavy track at Sandown. This is an easier race and he should improve on that run. Mr Natural was fourth at Moe and has a sharp turn of foot, so he is the main danger. Faster Link was eighth at Cranbourne but should get a soft run. Bureau is a debutant for Chris Waller, so watch the betting on him.
Selections:
- Civic Square - $2.70
- Mr Natural - $4.00
- Faster Link - $7.50
- Bureau - $9.50
Race 5 - Geelong Homes Class 1 Handicap (1147m)
Selection: Turbo Saint Current odds: $2.90
Turbo Saint won on debut over this track and now has Ben Melham riding for Clinton McDonald again. He should take plenty of beating. Shaadrille also won his debut, on a heavy track at Moe, and has good early speed. Ladhar was fourth at Mornington and can be better than that. Les Braves won first up last preparation and is a value runner.
Selections:
- Turbo Saint - $2.90
- Shaadrille - $4.60
- Ladhar - $5.00
- Les Braves - $9.50
Race 6 - Megajumps Benchmark 62 Handicap (1247m)
Selection: Power And The Beat Current odds: $3.70
Power And The Beat won first up last preparation at Bendigo and has Jamie Mott riding for Smiley Chan. He has more weight than last time but is still the one to beat. Grifter won well at Warrnambool last start and is improving. Insain Harry was fifth at Ballarat but has drawn well and has good speed. Exfortythree was fifth at Sale and can bounce back.
Selections:
- Power And The Beat - $3.70
- Grifter - $7.00
- Insain Harry - $7.00
- Exfortythree - $9.00
Race 7 - The Valley Inn Benchmark 66 Handicap (1447m)
Selection: Bella Verona Current odds: $2.30
Bella Verona won easily at Bendigo last start and has been very consistent. She finishes her races strongly and has a good draw, so we are happy to make her our headline bet of the meeting. Lyrics ‘N’ Song won at Seymour last time and has won on a soft track before, so he is the main danger. Charming Deel resumes after a break but won here last time, leading all the way. Mount Sabyinyo is a roughie for the places.
Selections:
- Bella Verona - $2.30
- Lyrics ‘N’ Song - $3.90
- Charming Deel - $6.00
- Mount Sabyinyo - $12.00
Race 8 - Wise Choice Benchmark 62 Handicap (1765m)
Selection: Stay Humble Current odds: $4.20
Stay Humble was second here last start and has been running well since resuming. He has a wide draw but enough speed to find a spot. Prince Of Byron won at Moe and has Jamie Mott riding for Lindsey Smith, though he drops back in trip. Kiwi Jenni was only just beaten at Caulfield Heath and has a strong finish. Sarapo was seventh here but has a better draw this time. This is an even race, so keep stakes small.
Selections:
- Stay Humble - $4.20
- Prince Of Byron - $5.00
- Kiwi Jenni - $5.00
- Sarapo - $4.80
