The time-honoured Geelong Cup will be run over 2400m this afternoon as many stayers attempt to gain a penalty to get themselves into the Melbourne Cup field.
Our full 2021 Geelong Cup Day Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 11:30am – Benchmark 70 Handicap (2400m)
The opening race of the day on Geelong Cup Day is a very open betting race.
Seven year old mare Converging has been ticking away nicely in a better grade of race than this in her last few starts and has not been disgraced.
She gets out to a more suitable distance now and the blinkers have been added for the first time.
Race 2 – 12:00pm – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1700m)
Lightly raced four year old Vitruvius is yet to miss a place from four career race starts.
The son of Star Witness was gelded during his las spell and he has returned two good efforts since then.
This is his first go beyond 1400m but he has the in form Brett Prebble steering.
Race 3 – 12:35pm – Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m)
Abandiman started his racing career with a dominant three length win at this track and distance in January and he finished that campaign when finishing down the order in the Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield.
He had the ultimate gear change (gelded) during his long spell which will focus him on the task at hand and has had three trials leading into this first up assignment.
He’s not guaranteed a start as the fourth emergency but if he can get in, he’ll run a cheeky race at double figure odds.
Race 4 – 1:10pm – Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m)
Coolshot made his racing debut back in July with a 5.75 length win at Cranbourne on the heavy track and he comes into this race on the back of another impressive win at Murtoa last start.
The lightly raced four year old gelding is being asked to carry the big weight inthis event but he will get a nice run in transit from barrier five.
Race 5 – 1:45pm – Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m)
The Ellerton and Zahra trained Platini represents great value at $21 in this contest.
The five year old has had only the 12 career race starts and has been placed in six of those.
He started his last campaign with a win at Yarra Valley before winning on the heavy track at Flemington at his next start.
Race 6 – 2:20pm – Listed Geelong Classic (2200m)
Tutukaka showed his raw ability when taking out the Tatt’s Stakes by four lengths at Eagle Farm back in June.
His two runs since then have been full of merit and although a few got passed him late at Flemington in the Super Impose, he ran right through the line suggesting he wants further now.
That race looks a very strong form line with Gunstock winning on the weekend and son of Tavistock looks the one to beat in the Classic.
Race 7 – 3:00pm – Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m)
The lack of International horses this year has made this a weak edition of the Geelong Cup and the favourite Tralee Rose does look the horse to beat.
The daughter of Tavistock looks a genuine stayer to my eye and she has looked quite dour in most of her runs this prep.
Whatever she does in this race she will improve on in the Melbourne Cup but she has the class to win this race.
Mirage Dancer is going better than his current form looks on paper.
He was the only horse to put pressure on Delphi heading around the turn in the Herbert Power and he was strong right through the line.
Race 8 – 3:40pm – Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1100m)
How Womantic returned a good effort when beaten less than half a length at Sandown first up from a spell.
The lightly raced five year old mare has a good record at this distance and she has won four of five when favourite.
She looks well placed.
Race 9 – 4:20pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m)
I’ve got a pretty high opinion of the Australian Bloodstock owned Fifth Position who resumed in the last race of the day on Geelong Cup day.
He was beaten less than a length at Warrnambool first up last prep on the heavy track.
This is his second campaign in Australia now and while this is short of his ideal distance, his class will take him a long way.
