Geelong Cup – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Four early scratchings leave thirteen to go around in the 2023 Geelong Cup, a traditional lead up race to the Melbourne Cup.  Chris Waller has a very strong hand with four runners.  The up and comer First Immortal is a clear favourite in the early betting, from Ashrun who is third up off a three year spell. The AJC Derby runner up Virtuous Circle is next pick.

1. Spanish Mission  – SCRATCHED

Was unsighted first up off a twelve month spell but improved significantly last start stepping up trip in a fast run race.  Has the 60 kg’s to lump here however he’s a class horse with B Shinn in the saddle.

2. Ashrun

Lightly raced eight year old gelding who had a long time off after a midfield finish in the 2020 Melbourne Cup.  His two runs back have been very encouraging.  Latest he was dragged back from the wide gate in the Bart Cummings and hit the line very nicely for sixth.  Easy to make a case for him each way at $8.

3. King Frankel

He was third in the Group 1 Tancred in the Autumn.  Well backed last start in Queensland and had no luck at a key stage.  Blinkers go on here and maps well from the low draw.

4. Sheraz  – SCRATCHED

His run two starts ago in the Naturalism was encouraging however he’s got a bit of a habit of getting back and running on.

5. Magical Lagoon

One of the Waller runners.  He has been okay at his two runs back in Sydney.  Wouldn’t be surprised if he was a big improver here third up.

6. More Felons

Import having first start for Chis Waller.  Was 8th in the Ebor last start – a win and your in race for the Melbourne Cup!  He looks very dangerous to my eye from the good draw with Michael Dee in the saddle.

7. Virtuous Circle

He didn’t have much luck in the Bart Cummings and cruised to the line pretty much untested.  He did have the benefit of being on the fence last start however he looks to be going well and has to be given some chance in this.

8. Fancy Man  – SCRATCHED

9. High Emocean

Hit form at the right time last year winning the Bendigo Cup before finishing third in the Melbourne Cup.  Has been below his best at his two runs this prep.

10. Sir Lucan

His form doesn’t read good enough.  The only positive is Linda Meech on a leader.

11. Amade

I really liked his run at huge odds last start in the Bart Cummings.  Is the one at big odds that I’d throwing into trifectas and first fours.

12. Mount Popa  – SCRATCHED

13. First Immortal

Horse well and truly on the up.  Walked in at Caulfield two back with the big weight then was wide with out cover in the Bart Cummings where he let down like the winner before Future History kicked back on him.  Thought that was a huge effort considering the strong wind hitting the outside runners on the home turn.  Not in a rush to back him at $2.7 – $3 plus would begin to appeal.

14. Timour

He can’t win.

15. Ferago

Flying.  Ran a place in the Herbert Power at huge odds last start coming off a bm75 at Mount Gambier!  This is much harder again.

16. Mr Waterville

Waller galloper who dropped out and ran last in the Metropolitan last start.  Rises 4kg for this.

17. The Map

Bolted in in a much easier assignment last start in Adelaide.  Surprised they are here.

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

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips	Bryce Parker’s Tips
13 First Immortal	13 First Immortal	2 Ashrun
6 More Felons	2 Ashrun	7 Virtuous Circle
2 Ashrun	7 Virtuous Circle	3 King Frankel
3 King Frankel	6 More Felons	1 Spanish Mission

Listed Geelong Classic 2023 (Geelong 2200m)

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	11 Amade
2nd	2 Ashrun	0.3 length
3rd	10 Sir Lucan	0.4 length
4th	16 Mr Waterville	0.5 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 1. Spanish Mission, 4. Sheraz, 8. Fancy Man, 12. Mount Popa.