Geelong
Race 4 – Ms Hubble
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1550m – Barrier 4
Three-year-old filly Ms Hubble is back at the races today, four weeks after an outing at Warracknabeal where little went right. The daughter of Deep Field settled towards the rear on that occasion and was held up looking for a run before finding the line nicely, unlucky not to have finished much closer. Jockey Beau Mertens leaves from gate four and can find cover midfield or worse, looking to find the right ground to run on in the home straight.
Speed comes from the inside with Fumage and Ten Warriors to punch forward from the outset, while expect Kastun Star to roll across from out wider and challenge for the top early on. Ten Warriors is third-up having run second at both runs this time in, finishing strongly at Sandown to just miss last time out. A similar effort today sees him as hardest to beat. Setheus is another coming here third-up on the back of two solid runs this preparation. He’ll likely go back from a wide draw and run on late. Next best. Each way claims to Kastun, who strips fitter for a sound debut effort, and Navy Nina, who was a beaten favourite here first-up.
Ms Hubble won’t want to be too far back turning for home, the rail out today could make it tricky for horses looking to make ground. She finished strongly in similar conditions last start and no surprise to see her making ground in the closing stages today. Each way claims.
Currently, Ms Hubble is a $27 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 4 – Black Rutile
Jockey – John Allen
1550m – Barrier 10
Ex-Japanese galloper Black Rutile makes his local debut at Geelong this afternoon. The gelded son of Epiphaneia has been to the jumpouts on numerous occasions, third at his most recent hitout at St Arnaud in a somewhat better effort. Jockey John Allen leaves from an outside gate and can drift back in the early parts, looking to wind up and find the line late in the piece.
Speed comes from the inside with Fumage and Ten Warriors to punch forward from the outset, while expect Kastun Star to roll across from out wider and challenge for the top early on. Ten Warriors is third-up having run second at both runs this time in, finishing strongly at Sandown to just miss last time out. A similar effort today sees him as hardest to beat. Setheus is another coming here third-up on the back of two solid runs this preparation. He’ll likely go back from a wide draw and run on late. Next best. Each way claims to Kastun, who strips fitter for a sound debut effort, and Navy Nina, who was a beaten favourite here first-up.
Black Rutile will improve on whatever he does this afternoon, better over more ground and with added fitness on his side. He’ll receive a soft run back in the field but will find these too sharp at the trip. Waiting for later.
Currently, Black Rutile is a $21 chance in the market.