Geelong Classic – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

There are eleven acceptors for the 2021 edition of the $200,000 Geelong Classic.  Two are sons of Domesday and two are trained by Danny O’Brien.  Four ran in the Super Impose Plate over 1800m at Flemington on October 2.  There are three horses vying for favouritism in a wide open betting race.  The Kiwi Tutukaka who has one win from six starts, King Of Pharaohs who was second at Ballarat last start and Grinzinger King who is third up with the blinkers on for the first time.

Character has been racing well since the blinkers went on two starts ago and draws perfectly in barrier six.  Max Fire is a South Australian who likes to make his luck up on speed.  He gets Damian Oliver in the saddle for this.  Phere The Ex is another who gets blinkers for the first time and appears to be looking for a staying trip.  Celestial Fury was a Flemington winner in June, while Magic Mikey finished eighth in the Super Impose Plate last start.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Tutukaka

One of two New Zealand trained three year old’s in the race.  Was dominant winning a listed race as a two year old at Eagle Farm in June.  Lead and weakened to be beaten 4.5 lengths in the Super Impose last start.  Fitter third up and Lane sticking are major positives if you like him.  In the mix.

2. Celestial Fury

Won a 1400m two year old race on debut in June.  Thought he was good through the line second up in the Derby trial, then dropped out to run an inconspicuous last at Flemington on October 2.  Could be worth another shot here.

3. Max Fire

South Australian who has won two of his four starts.  Think he is limited but makes his own luck up on speed and gets Damian Oliver for this.  Can’t rule him out.

4. Character

Godolphin colt who has one win and two placings from nine starts.  He impressed winning a Cranbourne maiden with the blinkers going on two back, then boxed solidly to run fourth in the Super Impose.  One of the chances.

5. King Of Pharaohs

Bolted in by 9 lengths in a Coleraine maiden two back, then boxed on well against the older horses at Ballarat last time out.  If he can get across with out doing too much work from barrier 10 then he is a genuine winning chance here.

6. Grinzinger King

Defeated Gundec first up at Geelong, then plugged away to finish 4.75 lengths behind that horse in the Derby Trial.  Fitter third up with blinkers on.  Can win.

7. Magic Mikey

Another who gets the blinkers on for the first time.  He has finished fifth, and eighth at his last two over 1800m.  May be looking for this trip now.  Rough hope.

8. Daario

Second of the New Zealand trained gallopers.  He was good from the back on heavy ground in his first Australian run in a Bendigo maiden, then never came on at Kyneton last time out on good ground.   Likelihood of a good track again here is a concern.

9. Phere The Ex

Winkers come off and blinkers go on.  Thought his run was good last time out at Sale where he really hit the line hard in a fast run maiden over 1732m.  He looks suited out to 2200m here fourth up with Nolen booked.  Think he can run a big race at a price.

10. Shabalala

Son of Starcraft trained by Danny O’Brien and to be ridden by Craig Williams.  He was beaten nine lengths in a Bendigo maiden on debut then was two and a half lengths off Max Fire (who he meets again here) at Morphettville.  Consider for multiples.

11. Culloden Moor

Was ninth in a strong maiden over 1200m first up then improved sharply to be beaten half a length over 1600m on Heavy ground at Bendigo last start.  Capable of further improvement out to 2200m here.  Rough hope.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
5. King Of Pharaohs	9. Phere The Ex
6. Grinzinger King	4. Character
1. Tutukaka	5. King Of Pharaohs
3. Max Fire	6. Grinzinger King

Group 3 Geelong Cup 2021 (Geelong 2400m)

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1. Tutukaka
2nd	4. Character	0.75 length
3rd	9. Phere The Ex	3.25 lengths
4th	5. King Of Pharaohs	3.45 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: –