Read on for our Friday racing tips for 11th September, including our Ladbrokes Geelong best bets!
IMPERIAL AWARD (4) made an impressive winning debut over 1200m at Bendigo in July, scoring by two lengths after showing good speed to settle on the pace.
He has since been kept up to the mark with jump-outs, including a stylish 850m win at Caulfield on September 2, suggesting he has returned in good order.
From barrier four, he looks well placed to make a winning return to the races.
| 1. Imperial Award (4) J: Patrick Moloney 60kg 1T: Matt Laurie | |||
| Freshened since claiming his maiden victory on debut; favourite; won by 2 len in a Mdn-Sw at Bairnsdale on July 13 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Earthing carrying 59.5kg at $3.50. Should progress and can win again. | |||
SIMPLY STEFFI (6) was a smart winner over 1000m at Sandown in February before stepping up to Group 3 company and finishing fifth in the Ottawa Stakes at Flemington.
She has been tuned up with three jump-outs since August, including a nice showing at Cranbourne most recently, and from barrier six with the lightest weight in the field, she looks well placed to make her return a winning one.
| 11. Simply Steffi (6) Scratched: | |||
WHIMSY SMILE (11) has had four career starts, with her three runs this preparation producing a third at Seymour, a second in a 1200m maiden and a dominant four-length win at Murtoa.
She now rises in class and has to overcome a wide alley, but she has shown plenty of improvement this preparation and still looks to have upside.
She’ll need to take another step forward here, but her recent form suggests she is capable of doing so.
| 11. Whimsy Smile (11) J: Harry Coffey 57.5kg 4×321T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; won by 4 len in a Mdn-Sw at Murtoa on August 21 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Bold Jester with 57kg at $1.65. The race before that crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 2nd of 14 in a Mdn-Sw at Seymour on August 7 over 1200m, slow going 1.3 len behind Misty Whisper with 57kg at $7.50. Much harder now but looks promising. | |||
STUNTMAN (8) has shown glimpses of ability, finishing second on debut over 1200m at Pakenham before placing again over 1400m at his next start.
After a below-par run when resuming at Bendigo, he bounced back with a determined win over 1400m on the Ballarat synthetic in August and is open to further improvement.
He looks capable of building on that breakthrough victory and taking another step forward here.
| 3. Stuntman (7) J: Harry Coffey 60kg 27×71T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 7th of 12 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Bendigo on July 30 over 1300m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Angland Lass carrying 58kg at $5. Second run from a spell won by a neck in a Mdn-Sw at Ballarat Synthetic on August 18 over 1400m defeating Scarole with 59.5kg at $3.40. Has upside and can go on with it. | |||