You’re in the right place for our Wednesday Racing Tips on October 21st, featuring Ladbrokes Geelong Cup Day and the key betting angles across the card.
AURORA BELLE (7) is a talented former New Zealand mare who boasts an unbeaten record.
The four-year-old won back-to-back races at Te Rapa before joining the Hayes stable at Euroa.
She impressed when resuming last start over 1200m at Ballarat, easily crossing from the outside barrier to lead before drawing away to win by 2.25 lengths.
She’ll strip fitter second-up, and the rise in distance suits. Ethan Brown can use her natural early speed to roll forward and take up the running, which should make her hard to run down.
| 7. Aurora Belle (6) 59kg11×1 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months won by 2.25 len in a Bm66 at Ballarat on September 30 over 1200m defeating Primal Spirit carrying 59kg at $4.60. Previously second-up won by 0.9 len in a 3-Y-O Plte at Te Rapa on July 4 over 1200m in the wet defeating Swiss Prince with 55kg at $3. Unbeaten and should go on with it here. | |||
ICY YOU (2) looks well placed after a very good run in the Listed Super Impose Stakes at Flemington in heavy conditions last start.
The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding worked to the line nicely to finish 3.31 lengths fourth to Miss Waititi. Vallice and Cignetti finished second and third, and they repeated those placings in last Saturday’s Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes to frank the form.
His earlier form was also strong, including a gallant neck second over 1800m at Caulfield and a 4.75-length maiden win that could have been much more, given he was shut off a long way out.
The wide barrier is a concern, but he gets Craig Williams aboard and is rock-hard fit.
POINT OF LAW (8) is a lightly raced stayer who has shown plenty of talent in the United Kingdom and is having his first start for Ciaron Maher.
The son of Frankel won his maiden at Newbury three starts ago before charging home from the back of the field to finish 1.6 lengths fourth in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.
His quality was on show again last start when he proved too strong over 2615m to win the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket.
Maher used those races to identify current Group 1-winning stable stars Birdman and Royal Supremacy. Birdman finished third in the Queen’s Vase, while Royal Supremacy was second in the Bahrain Trophy.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but he has enough early speed for Ethan Brown to slide across and settle in a prominent position.
LAA DE SHA (7) returns to the races for the first time since finishing less than a length away in a stronger race at Bendigo in May after an unlucky run.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding races well fresh, having won three of five first-up starts. One of those wins came early in his career over this course and distance.
He should enjoy returning to Geelong, where he is unbeaten from two starts, both over 1200m.
Two jump-outs should have him ready to produce a bold showing. He also looks set to enjoy a nice run just behind a strong speed for 1.5kg claiming apprentice Jackson Radley.