It is hard to remember a more evenly matched field than the one that is set to contest the 2014 Group Two Geelong Cup on Friday night. A case can be made for virtually every runner in the race with quality from the red rug right through to the pink.
$45,000 awaits the connections of the first dog past the post which is contested over the 460 metre journey.
Astute Devon Meadows mentor Darren McDonald took the honours in the heats and has qualified three runners for the final, with all appearing to have their share of winning claims.
The Cup final is the eighth race on the card and is scheduled to jump at 9:27pm.
Kelly Bravo (Trainer) – “He is drawn well, he loves the inside and he likes the track too, he won his heat and semi-final of The Great Chase at Geelong. He was drawn up the track a bit more on both of those occasions so he has a bit in his favour here. His first and second sections are his best but he can struggle a little bit at the end so he will need a good break on them.”
ARG opinion is – An exciting young dog who is sure to be finishing hard at the business end of the race. He can tend to be a little bit risky at box rise but is drawn to be given some space early.
Best Geelong Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.56
25.56
6.63
6.63
Box 3
Race Odds
$7.00
Heat Replay
Hallelujah Henry
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Jason McDonald
Prizemoney
$62,625
Last 10 Starts
4137521221
35 Months
Fawn
Dog
by
Lonesome Cry
–
Lily Eve
Start
Good
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$1,739
Rating
95
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
36
15
6
5
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
42%
72%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
5
2
1
1
Box 3 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
1
0
0
ARG opinion is – A consistent on pacer who has a good record at Geelong. He will be looking for a little bit of room early and, if he gets it, he could well be in the finish.
Best Geelong Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.59
25.59
6.52
6.52
Box 4
Race Odds
$19.00
Heat Replay
Dyna Alchemist
Trainer
Steve Collins
Owner
Brendan Wheeler
Prizemoney
$34,730
Last 10 Starts
6251112421
27 Months
Black
Dog
by
Superman
–
Talia Bale
Start
Risky
Running
Middle
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$1,929
Rating
94
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
18
6
7
2
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
33%
83%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
1
1
0
Box 4 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
2
1
0
Steve Collins (Trainer) – “If he can come out with them he is a big chance. He is fearless and will run straight through them. He is going well and is ready to go.”
Best Geelong Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.65
25.65
6.60
6.60
Box 5
Race Odds
$3.00
Heat Replay
Luca Neveelk
Trainer
Gerald Kleeven
Owner
Paul Kleeven
Prizemoney
$57,865
Last 10 Starts
1411113111
29 Months
Blue
Dog
by
Talk's Cheap
–
It's A Neveelk
Start
Excellent
Running
Middle
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$2,411
Rating
100
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
24
20
0
2
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
83%
92%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
2
0
0
Box 5 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
1
0
0
ARG opinion is – Boom dog with a sensational strike rate who set the time standard in the heats with a 25.47 win. Has terrific early speed after he hits the ground and, if he can find the front early, it could be curtains for his opposition.
Best Geelong Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.47
25.47
6.43
6.43
Box 6
Race Odds
$3.40
Heat Replay
Awesome Project
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Brad Canty
Prizemoney
$257,930
Last 10 Starts
1114217111
43 Months
Black
Dog
by
Collision
–
Honour Phase
Start
Good
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$5,159
Rating
100
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
50
26
7
6
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
52%
78%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
1
0
0
Box 6 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
3
3
0
ARG opinion is – Seasoned Group performer who is back to his best. He has won his last three and is likely to land close to the lead early. He is the class runner of this field and looks set to give the race a big shake.
ARG opinion is – Young dog who is undefeated at Geelong in three outings. This race is one of the tougher assignments of his short career but he clearly has his share of ability.
Peter Akathiotis (Trainer) – “Unfortunately he has drawn the eight again, just like he did in the Victorian National Sprint final. This is a different track and it is about a 160 metre run into that first turn. I'm just hoping he comes out ok and stays straight so he has a bit of room to move. He showed a bit of common sense last week the way he raced so I hope he can again. I hope he can bring home the bikkies.”
ARG opinion is – Did not have a lot of luck in his heat and would come into string consideration here if he gains a start, especially from an inside box.
Best Geelong Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.39
25.62
6.41
6.67
2nd Res
Race Odds
Heat Replay
Marcus Joe (SCRATCHED)
Trainer
Barry Moloney
Owner
Barry Moloney
Prizemoney
$222,130
Last 10 Starts
1172215322
43 Months
Brindle
Dog
by
Velocette
–
Mojo Glory
Start
Risky
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$4,271
Rating
97
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
52
16
12
6
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
31%
65%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
0
1
0
Box Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
–
–
–
–
ARG opinion is – Looked to have his heat won last week before being claimed on the line. He is an experienced conveyance and would not be the worst if he gained a start.
Best Geelong Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
25.65
6.53
6.53
The run to the first turn is going to be all-important in this race with at least half the field possessing enough pace to lead.
Top Secret (1) is drawn to find the front but will be under siege late in the race.
Luca Neveelk (5) is not always the first dog to leave the traps but hits the ground with a flurry and is another who could punch through and lead, if he does, he will take a power of beating.
If Awesome Project (6) can exit the boxes rapidly, the race could well be at his mercy, he has plenty of class and only needs to be near the front early to be a huge chance.
Swagzilla (7) has his share of early pace but will need luck to negotiate his way across from the wide draw.
Dyna Villa (2), Hallelujah Henry (3) and Dyna Alchemist (4) tend to be just off the pace early. They will be looking for some space to move to allow them to ply their trade and work their way into the event.
Nockabout Aussie (8) showed how strongly he can finish off his races when he ran down Marcus Joe in his heat win, however is likely to have to negotiate his way past a lot of dogs to win this.
