2016 Geelong Cup betting – free form, odds and bookie bonuses

Originally published at www.HorseBetting.com.au

THE Geelong Cup on Wednesday is one of the most important lead-up races to the Melbourne Cup.

The race, which has often provided reliable form to the country’s biggest race, gives hopefuls one last chance to qualify for Flemington on November 1.

Past Geelong Cup winners have gone on to win the Melbourne Cup, which makes betting this Wednesday a good guide to races later in the spring.

The $300,000 feature includes the likes of Who Shot Thebarman, Black Tomahawk and French import Grey Lion, which has attracted plenty of attention from the Matt Cumani stables.

There might not be some of the class on show as other years, but Geelong Cup day, which also features the Geelong Classic, is a great day for punters.

Open an account with CrownBet which already has markets available for Geelong Cup day this Wednesday.

Race 1 – B&B Aluminium R64 Handicap (1400m)

Ruthven was a smart winner on debut by 2.25 lengths and its from the Caulfield Cup-winning Ciaron Maher stables. The three-year-old is a colt by Domesday which handled the wet conditions well on debut and it should run well again here.

Sir Nemo comes into this having won its last start at Geelong by 1.25 lengths and it’s trained at Geelong which is a big help. The Tony Parker-trained gelding has had three starts at Geelong for one win and any easing of the track would bring it right into contention.

Royal Applause finished close behind Written Era last start and it has form behind some nice types. The four-year-old ran second behind Lahqa at Moonee Valley in January and it has since won a rating 64-graded race. Should be well backed and run accordingly.

Race 1 tip: Ruthven to win at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 2 – IGA Liquor R78 Handicap (2400m)

Barwon has placed in its last two outings and it gets the addition of top Victorian rider Dwayne Dunn in the saddle. The son of Reset finished second at Flemington in May before running ninth in the Ramsden Stakes. This is a much easier target and it should have fit after three runs this campaign. Could get out to each way odds.

Darren Weir lines up Lips Areios which has won its last two starts in impressive fashion. The five-year-old import won by 1.25 lengths at Mornington before blitzing its rivals by 3.25 lengths last start. It rises in grade now, but the increase in distance looks ideal and it will prove tough to beat.

Super Haze is a talented five-year-old which produced a stylish finish to win last start. Trained by Tony McEvoy, Super Haze has now won two from eight starts with five placings and that consistency is what punters look for. It drops nicely in weight to 54.5kg so consider it here.

Race 2 tip: Lips Areios to win at CrownBet.com.au

Race 3 – Geelong Australia R78 Handicap (1500m)

Pay Up Bro was coming along nicely this spring with back-to-back wins in great style, but it didn’t show much in the Inglis Cup last start. The John Moloney-trained gelding meets a much easier field here which will suit and punters should be able to forgive its last start. Dropping back in distance might be its calling card so include in win bets.

Movie is a chance down in the weights for trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig. The four-year-old finished second at Pakenham last start and it hasn’t won since late July, but it gets the weight advantage on all of the field and an inside barrier will help its chances.

Eljetem was close behind New York last start in a tough handicap race. The Tony Noonan-trained gelding won well at Sandown three back and it has form on all track conditions. Hasn’t missed the money in three starts at this distance so include.

Race 3 tip: Pay Up Bro to win at Bet365.com.au

Race 4 – No Fuss Event Hire R70 Handicap (1700m)

Warrior Of Justice didn’t quite handle the wet track last start at Echuca, but it looked talented on debut when winning by 1.75 lengths. The three-year-old will appreciate the drop back in weight after carrying 57kg last start and it could be the surprise runner at odds.

I’ll Fly Away is a Darren Weir-trained runner which has won back-to-back races in preparation for this. The son of Galileo is a lightly-tried five-year-old import which has looked impressive in winning both Australian starts to date. Dean Yendall is a jockey with confidence and it should run well.

Alrouz gets the inside draw and some weight off its back. The nine-year-old is getting long in the tooth, but it’s in a great run of form which included a win on this track in May. It has won twice from three starts at Geelong and that makes it a winning hope here. Don’t discount at each way odds.

Race 4 tip: I’ll Fly Away to win at CrownBet.com.au

Race 5 – Shojun Concrete R84 Plate (1200m)

Lucky Liberty was an impressive last start winner at Caulfield and it should handle the rise in class well. The Henry Dwyer-trained gelding was considered good enough to run in the Australian Guineas where it was caught wide throughout, but this class suits and it looks well placed. Unbeaten in three starts at this distance.

Lord Von Costa is a talented gelding which won the Creswick Stakes at Flemington before spelling in the winter. The four-year-old came through the grades via the Highway Handicaps in Sydney before running second behind Spieth at Flemington which is a great form guide. It has metropolitan form which stacks up well here and its fresh record is strong.

Gallant Harmony is a six-time winner from 25 starts which goes well at this distance. The John Sadler-trained gelding has won two from nine starts at the 1200m with five additional placings and it should get a nice run in transit from barrier five.

Race 5 tip: Lord Von Costa to win at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 6 – Emsley Lodge Geelong Classic (2200m)

Theanswerismyfriend showed its ability when winning at Caulfield last start by 1.5 lengths. The Robert Smerdon-trained gelding had been knocking on the door of a major win and it jumped from maiden grade to a strong rating 78 in fine style. Dunn rides and it looks tough to beat.

Nemrud has had a luckless campaign and punters will be attracted to the son of Reset. Trained by John O’Shea, the three-year-old was severely checked at Warwick Farm two back before flashing home late for second behind Moqueen at Randwick. It has any amount of ability and it should have a good chance to change its fortunes with James McDonald in the saddle.

Anaheim is a capable colt from the Busuttin/Young stables which has yet to win a race, but it hasn’t been far away and the extra distance will top it off nicely. It ran as the $1.80 favourite last start so expect support, but punters will get a much better price here.

Race 6 tip: Nemrud to win ($4.80) at CrownBet.com.au

Race 7 – Geelong Cup (2400m)

Who Shot Thebarman finished off well in the Group 1 Metropolitan last start and form out of that race should stack up well for the Geelong Cup, but punters will be wondering if the eight-year-old will ever win again. The Chris Waller-trained gelding has any amount of class and its form is good enough, but it’s not a professional winner. This field isn’t fantastic and it should be able to take advantage.

Despite a poor form line, Grey Lion has been well supporting into favouritism following a last start eighth in France. The Matt Cumani-trained horse won a handicap race in March, but since then it hasn’t been overly impressive. There is clearly a big wrap on the five-year-old, but it’s far too short for our liking.

Black Tomahawk loves to finish in the money without winning, but its third placing behind Almandin looks like good form and it will always give punters a good sight. This is its biggest test to date, but it will enjoy running with only 54kg on its back so don’t discount.

Race 7 tip: Black Tomahawk to place at Bet365.com.au

Race 8 – Rosemont Stud Stakes (1200m)

Painted Firetail comes over from Sydney with good form and it will appreciate the rise up in distance. The John O’Shea-trained mare won at Canterbury two starts back before finishing off strongly at Rosehill over 1100m. It has drawn wide here which isn’t ideal, but expect a top ride from McDonald.

Prompt Response is a capable filly which is dropping back from the Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained three-year-old won by 4.5 lengths at Newcastle three back before taking on some tough races. This looks much easier and it’s a dangerous runner at 53kg.

Zara Bay was an impressive last start winner at Caulfield. It jumps up in grade for this, but it’s down in the weights at 55kg and Dwayne Dunn takes the ride. Punters should expect a solid each way price which should be considered.

Race 8 tip: Prompt Response to win at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 9 – Roderick Insurance Brokers R70 Handicap (1200m)

Du Sumpent was a last start winner at Geelong by two lengths and Weir rarely lines them up when they can’t win. The son of Duporth is a talented four-year-old which has won two from seven starts. It goes best at this distance and it should figure in the finish.

Miles Of Krishan also comes into this off a win which came at Sale by a narrow margin. The Greg Eurell-trained mare has won and placed at this distance and drawing the inside barrier in a big field is a bonus. Looks tough to beat in this.

Harbour Grey is more than capable of winning in this grade and although it hasn’t been able to win of late, it has been running some good horses close. It finished second behind Turfane last start and it handles all track conditions. Win chance.

Race 9 tip: Miles of Krishan to win at CrownBet.com.au