Races

GEELONG CUP DAY UPDATE

The Charlie Appleby trained Oceanographer has been the medium of very solid support for this afternoon’s Geelong Cup over the 2400 metres with TABtouch.

Oceanographer, a five year old son of Sea The Stars, has won 4 of his 9 career starts including a victory over the 2066 metres two starts back in July at Doncaster where he had to lump 63.5 kilograms. He will carry just 54 kgs this afternoon.

There has been strong money for him with his price firming from $4.60 into favouritism at $3.40.

The Matt Cumani trained Grey Lion had been favourite but has eased slightly from $3.30 out to $3.50.

Grey Lion, a five year old son of Galileo, has won 4 of his 11 career starts and has won 3 of his 4 first up runs in the past.

Qewy is an ultra-consistent galloper who must be considered a great each way chance at the $5.50 quote. He has been placed in 6 of his last 8 starts, some of those over the hurdles in distances up to 4249 metres so you know he will be grinding to the line.

Kinema makes his Australian debut for Trainer Chris Waller this afternoon and arrives with a career racecard of 28 starts for 5 wins and 9 placings. The six year old strung together back-to-back wins at Goodwood back in May and June over 2816 metres and 2414 metres. He is rated a $4.60 chance in the Cup.

The best of the locals looks to be Lucques who will be ridden by Damian Lane and is currently paying $7 on the fixed odds.

Earlier today on the Sports Daily on TAB Radio Deane Lester made Oceanographer his on top pick and was confident it would run a big race.

TABtouch account holders be sure to use your Bonus SuperPick on the Geelong Cup this afternoon.  You will have the option of a win bonus of 50% (up to $50), money back if your horse runs second (up to $50) or a 25% place bonus (up to $50).

The choice is yours – personally I opted for Oceanographer with money back if he runs second.

In Race 6 at Geelong, the Geelong Classic over the 2200 metres, the Leon MacDonald trained Pretty Punk is one of the better backed runners of the day. The Daughter of Rebel Raider has been impressive in winning her last two starts at Morphetville and has the services of successful Caulfield Cup Jockey Nicholas Hall. She has been popular with the punters firming from $5 into $3.80.

There is a seven race program to look forward to at Ascot this afternoon and Greg Hooper’s thoughts on the meeting can be sourced via the TABtouch blog. His SuperPick of the afternoon is in race 4 number 9 Ellicazoom who is currently a $3.10 chance – Greg has locked in the Run 2nd – Money Back option there.

The best backed runner at odds for this afternoon’s Ascot card is in race 4 number 4 I’m Incredible who has more than halved it’s opening quote from $12 into $5.50.

At the Gold Coast the best backed runner is the in-form Saga Miss who has won 2 of her last 3 starts. She has been backed from $4.60 into $3.80.

At Balaklava the punters have flocked to race 5 number 2 Our Prospect who has been a significant mover trimming into $4.20 from her opening price of $8.

We have a splendid weekend of racing ahead of us for Cox Plate weekend from Moonee Valley.

On Friday night the Group 1 Manikato Stakes over 1200 metres under lights promises to be a wonderful contest.

Last year’s winner, the flying grey Chautauqua has been an easy favourite drifting from $2.20 out to $2.25. He wasn’t at his brilliant best first up when he had to settle for 4th placing in the Group 1 Moir Stakes over the 1000 metres behind Extreme Choice and he will no doubt benefit for the extra 200 metres of this race. Talented 3 year old Capitalist has a 5.5 kilogram advantage over the majority of the field and is on the second line of betting at $6. Best backed at odds in early betting is Fell Swoop who has firmed from $14 into $13.

In Group 1 Cox Plate betting wonder mare Winx has been heavily commissioned at a cramped quote. Bets of $5,000 at $2.20 and $2.10 as well as two bets of $5,000 at $1.90 are a great indicator of just how confident many punters are of her winning back to back Cox Plates. She currently sits at $1.95 with Hartnell at $3.10 and International Raider Vadamoss is the next in betting at $14. Watch out for the Bonus SuperPick coming up on Cox Plate day.

There will also be a Quaddie Jackpot on offer for Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day as well as a First 4 Jackpot on the Group 1 Top Gun from the Meadows on Saturday night.

Good luck on the punt!

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