Wednesday’s eight-race meeting at Ladbrokes Geelong looks set to be a proper test, with the track rated a Heavy 8 and more rain forecast.
The rail is out 9m from the 1700m to the 800m, then 11m for the remainder.
Our Ladbrokes Geelong preview focuses on the mudlarks who can handle the conditions, with race analysis, key runners and betting angles across the card.
Get your snorkel out as we work through the form and try to find a few winners.
With questionable form and a maiden over 2270m, this contest shapes as a major slog.
COLD SHOWER (2) performed better than his $41 starting price suggested when debuting over 2000m at Ballarat last start.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained gelding settled handy as the pressure went on a long way from home. While he petered out late, there was plenty of merit in the way he boxed on to finish 3.75 lengths third.
He’ll take great benefit from the experience and just needs to handle the wet conditions to give this a shake.
| 2. Cold Shower (2) J: Jett Stanley 58kg 3 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
FRINGILLA (9) should find this easier than the two maidens she has contested so far.
The Team Hayes-trained filly gave a good account of herself on debut two starts ago, working well to the line for a 1.97-length sixth in testing conditions at Bendigo.
Last start, she hit the front over 1425m here but was run down by Stipulation, who later finished fifth in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and should race on speed from the inside barrier.
| 9. Fringilla (1) J: Craig Williams 55kg 62 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
HEDJET (3) impressed in his first Australian start when resuming over 1429m at Seymour.
The Clinton McDonald-trained entire was caught wide and had to work during the run, yet still found the line strongly to finish 2.25 lengths second.
He’ll strip fitter and went within half a length of winning his only previous second-up start.
The wide barrier isn’t ideal, but he has the speed to cross for Ben Melham and settle prominently.
| 3. Hedjet (9) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 72×2 T: Clinton McDonald |
MR NATURAL (6) was a touch disappointing when heavily backed first-up at Moe but can bounce back on a bigger track.
The Lindsey Smith-trained three-year-old raced wide and back before working well to the line to finish six lengths fourth.
He had jumped out well beforehand, including a win here in his most recent piece of work, and finished a neck second on debut last preparation.
A solid speed will suit, as should the rise in distance.
| 6. Mr Natural (6) J: Fred W Kersley 57kg 2×4 T: Lindsey Smith |
TURBO SAINT (3) impressed when winning on debut over this course and distance.
The Clinton McDonald-trained gelding enjoyed a nice run before letting down well to score comfortably by a length.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and handled heavy going in a jump-out before his first-up run.
He maps to enjoy another nice run for Ben Melham.
| 3. Turbo Saint (2) J: Ben Melham 58kg 1 T: Clinton McDonald |
POWER AND THE BEAT (2) returns to the races after finishing at the tail of the field in a much stronger city race at Caulfield.
The Smiley Chan-trained gelding has won two of his four career starts, including one here over 1343m.
He looks set for a bold first-up showing after powering through the line for a close second in a recent jump-out.
He has tended to get fired up in past races, so pre-race earmuffs could have a positive effect.
Jamie Mott can settle him in a forward position.
| 2. Power And The Beat (6) J: Jamie Mott 61.5kg 1018x T: Smiley Chan |
BELLA VERONA (2) looked to have a class edge when resuming in a Class 1 Handicap at Bendigo, and that’s how it played out.
The Matt Laurie-trained mare settled in the second half of the field before letting down powerfully to win the 1300m race by a length.
Last preparation, she placed in consecutive Open Three-Year-Old races at Sandown and Caulfield, so she should find this race to her liking.
They should set a solid tempo in front, which will help her finish over the top of them.
| 2. Bella Verona (2) J: Patrick Moloney 60kg 123×1 T: Matt Laurie |
KIWI JENNI (10) looks ready to win following three very good runs following a two-month spell.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was forced to make a wide run last start over a mile at Caulfield Heath before picking up strongly in the final 100m to finish a neck third.
She’s at peak fitness now and the rise in distance on a bigger track suits.
A decent speed will aid her cause.
| 10. Kiwi Jenni (5) J: Beau Mertens 57kg 17353 T: Ciaron Maher |