Take Two! Spring racing rolls back into Geelong on Thursday for one of the region’s most anticipated events of the year, Ladbrokes Geelong Cup Day, after severe winds on Wednesday forced a postponement.
With the Melbourne Cup just around the corner, this meeting often serves as a crucial stepping stone for stayers chasing a spot in the big one, and the 2025 edition is no exception.
Gilded Water, trained by Ciaron Maher and raced by King Charles III, heads the market and looks to bounce back after a bold third in The Bart Cummings.
Whisky On The Hill brings strong form from the Herbert Power Stakes and profiles as a genuine danger, while last year’s winner Onesmoothoperator returns in search of back-to-back Cup victories.
The rail in the true position, with a mostly cloudy day forecast.
Let’s get stuck into the remaining six races on Geelong Cup Day and see what we can uncover.
FIRST CHORUS (8) savaged the line from a long way back to finish a head third to subsequent metropolitan winner Blindedbythelight over a mile on the Hillside track.
The Lindsey Smith-trained mare loved the heavy going two starts back when charging home to win at Warrnambool.
She drops back to 1400m but is a month between runs and did win over this trip three starts ago at Seymour in impressive fashion.
Being her home Cup Day, Smith will have her primed for this.
| 8. First Chorus (7) J: Jamie Mott 58kg 72113T: Lindsey Smith |
MATSUDA (3) gives every indication that he’ll enjoy the rise to 2200m in the Listed Geelong Classic.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding let down powerfully to win over 1744m at Sale last start by a massive five lengths.
He returns to Geelong for the second time after finishing 2.5 lengths second over 1200m here on debut.
He’s at peak fitness and Jamie Mott should land in a prominent position.
| 3. Matsuda (7) J: Thomas Stockdale 57kg 2481T: Ciaron Maher |
This race has been decimated by scratchings and it’s not really one that I want to get involved in now.
Having said that, EMPHASIZE (4) gets his chance now that he’s at peak fitness.
The Busuttin & Young trained-gelding was unlucky not to finish closer than 1.9 lengths fourth last start over 1600m at The Valley when tightened for room when working home nicely.
He won by four lengths the only previous time he raced over this distance and just needs to handle the going which is an unknown to be featuring.
| 4. Emphasize (7) J: Craig Williams 59kg 7×584T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
GILDED WATER (7) was unable to be controlled by Jamie Melham last start in the Group 3 Bart Cummings as he opened a massive lead.
Understandably, he weakened badly but to his credit he still managed to hold on for a 3.15 length third.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, who is owned by His Majesty The King, could not have been more impressive two starts ago when winning eased down by two lengths over 2000m at Caulfield.
Declan Bates takes the ride and is no stranger to riding free running horses, having been Pride Of Jenni’s pilot many times.
A norton bit has been applied for the first time and that should help him roll along at a more controlled tempo.
| 7. Gilded Water (3) J: Declan Bates 54kg 2×313T: Ciaron Maher |
STOLI BOLLI (12) looks ready to break through for a well-deserved win after finishing in the placings in each of his four races this preparation.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding was last seen storming home to finish a neck second down the Flemington straight.
He’ll appreciate the return to this level and won his only previous start over this course and distance.
He has a fitness edge over his rivals and should enjoy a sweet run from the inside barrier for Blake Shinn.
| 12. Stoli Bolli (1) J: Blake Shinn 56kg x3232T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
FLYING VALLEY (5) was outclassed in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes last start but gave a good account of himself, finishing fifth and just behind Attrition and Tom Kitten.
That’s excellent form for this given Attrition then finished second in the Group 2 Hill Stakes and Tom Kitten was fifth in the Group 1 King Charles III.
The Julius Sandhu-trained gelding was racing in super form before that with back-to-back wins on the Hillside track.
On each occasion he carried over 60kg and finished powerfully saluting over similar distances to this.
Jamie Mott should be able to stalk what looks a decent speed.
| 5. Flying Valley (8) J: Jamie Mott 59kg 42115T: Julius Sandhu |