Geelong Cup – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

There are fourteen acceptors for the time honoured Geelong Cup which has a prize pool of $400,000.  Historically this has been a key lead up to the Melbourne Cup with horses such as Dunaden and Americain winning here on their way to winning the Melbourne Cup.  Four of these had their last run in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes on October 9 & five ran in the Group 3 Bart Cummings on October 2.  Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have two runners entered.

The early favourite in the betting is the five year old mare Tralee Rose.  She was best placed finished (2nd) of those who ran in the Bart Cummings and is looking to secure her spot into this years Melbourne Cup with a strong performance here.  Next in the betting is the South Australian Hasta La War.  He has gone to a new level this preparation and was as strong as any horse through the line in the Herbert Power Stakes.

Knights Order won the ATC Winter Cup at Rosehill over this distance in June and gets the blinkers back on for his third up assignment.  Defibrillate hasn’t placed in two starts at the distance but has a win over 2500m to his name so will have no issues with the trip.  Le Don De Vie was a narrow second in this race last year and won the Warrnambool Cup in May.  Four of Mirage Dancer’s five wins have come at this distance, while The Good Fight finished off well in The Bart Cummings.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Mirage Dancer

Eight year old gelding trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young.  He was fourth in the Naturalism at a big price, then fifth in the Herbert Power beaten 4 lengths.  In the mix.

2. Defibrillate

Seven year old gelding with a strong winning strike rate.  He was held up in the Herbert Power last time but was making late ground into fourth.  Should be at peak fitness now fifth up.  Can run well here.

3. Johnny Get Angry

Won last years Victoria Derby.  Is out to a distance now which suits but is hard to have off recent form.

4. Knights Order

Thought his run in the Naturalism first up was solid, then got busted up sitting outside lead in a fast run Bart Cummings.  Should get a much easier time of it out in front here.  Capable of sharp improvement third up with the blinkers going back on.  One of the chances.

5. Amade

Impressed winning over 2600m at Flemington on Anzac Day.  Held his ground first up in the Naturalism then weakened badly after finding a great spot in the run in the Bart Cummings.  Not sure where is at but could be worth another chance.

6. Le Don De Vie

Finished a narrow second to Steele Prince in this race last year.  Was fifth at Moonee Valley first up, then was towards the back of the field in the Metropolitan at Randwick last start.  If he can find his best he is a chance here.

7. Dr Drill

Has been racing well with out winning in recent times and gets Prebble for this. Consider for multiples.

8. Tralee Rose

Talented staying mare who won the Bagot Handicap by a big margin on New Years Day.  She has been close up at all three runs back, including last start when second in the Bart Cummings by 1.25 lengths.  Looks perfectly drawn in barrier four.  Major player.

9. The Good Fight

Thought his run in the Bart Cummings when seventh beaten 3.5 lengths was excellent and gets Damian Lane here.  Yet to win in eighteen starts on good ground is the query but he is capable running well.

10. Rostropovich

Was a good third in the JRA Cup on September 24, then beaten a long way in the Herbert Power.  Barrier 14 does him no favours.  Prefer others here.

11. Weekender

Ex European galloper now under the care of Lindsey Smith at Warrnambool.  Gets blinkers on for this but started $20-1 in the Coleraine Cup first up and was beaten a long way.  Can’t recommend.

12. Bartholomeu Dias

Has a second and three thirds from six previous attempts at 2400m.  Was midfield in the Heatherlie Handicap on August 28, then close up in the Benalla Cup last start.  Place chance.

13. Long Arm

Tounge tie on.  Lightly raced gelding who was third in the Adelaide Cup in the Autumn.  He hit the line well first up, then weakened out in the Bart Cummings.  Capable of improving here third up with Craig Williams booked to ride.

14. Hasta La War

South Australian gelding who has seven wins and five placings from eighteen starts.  He ran a good third in the Herbert Power Stakes last start.  Drawn well here in barrier five.  Solid each way chance.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
14. Hasta La War	8. Tralee Rose
8. Tralee Rose	4. Knights Order
2. Defibrillate	14. Hasta La War
4. Knights Order	13. Long Arm

Listed Geelong Classic 2021 (Geelong 2200m)

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8. Tralee Rose
2nd	7. Dr Drill	0.5 length
3rd	14. Hasta La War	3.25 lengths
4th	5. Amade	4.25 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 9. The Good Fight.