Geelong Tips & Preview | Wednesday 1 April

MONEY HONEY (5) looks the most likely here with a good chunk of the field on debut. 

By Capitalist, she ran on nicely to grab second on debut herself at Sandown a few weeks ago after settling midfield in the run and showing some late speed. 

The extra 100m shouldn’t test her and she’s drawn to find the box seat from the low gate with Luke Currie still piloting.   

FARAKTA (4) has another low gate working in her favour second-up. 

Not a lot went right for her on debut at Pakenham two weeks ago where she eventually ran on late for third after being held up badly for a run at the top of the straight. 

In saying that, she knuckled down well once clear and showed plenty through the line. Out over further now, she appeals big time. 

BOA VISTA (8) is right in this I feel for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr. 

The Snitzel filly is first-up following a lengthy spell but is likely to find this much easier after racing at Stakes and Group level last year, highlighted by a placing in the Dequetteville Stakes at Morphettville around this time last year. 

There’s every chance she needs the run, but she’s drawn to get all the favours from barrier 3 and has shown plenty in recent trials to suggest she’s ready to go.  

LARIO (4) is deep into his prep and racing well enough to be considered back over 1700m. 

He was in inferior ground last start over a touch further at Sandown, beaten nearly five lengths after taking up the lead and just running out of gas when it counted. 

A multiple winner here at Geelong with Craig Williams sticking in the saddle, he should roll forward from wider out this time and take catching with a slightly soft track also working in his favour. 

UPSTAGE (9) looks very close to earning her first win for Grahame Begg and connections. 

She handled the sharp 1200m trip in her stride fresh at Kyneton three weeks ago, spotting the field a decent head start of nearly five lengths before storming home over the late stages to grab second. 

Everything about that effort suggested she might be wanting further, and if she gets away fairly this time from the gates, she’ll be very tough to hold out when it matters most.  

Happy to give THAT’SMONEYBROTHER (6) another look after finishing the beaten favourite at Yarra Valley first-up. 

The son to I Am Invincible blew the start and was caught three-wide trying to make up ground the whole time, but I thought he was still pretty brave in the finish beaten only half a length third. 

We’ve seen him handle the 1100m trip quite well here on debut at Geelong before going on to shed the maiden tag nicely at Ballarat. Better for the run, I say he bounces back.  

SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS (9) goes on top dropping 2kg with Linda Meech returning to the irons. 

The pair combined to win stylishly by more than two lengths fresh at Ballarat in February, with the daughter to Xtravagant then stepping back to mares’ grade at Pakenham where she was always five-wide the trip. 

How she handles the step up to 1500m for only the second time is the main query, but two solid runs over 1400m should see her plenty fit with the barrier affording her some early cover this time. 

BATTLE OF THE ICE (6) rates a key chance in a very open race. 

His jump outs leading into his return have really caught the eye and it’s hard to ignore his classy win on debut at Kyneton last year where he prevailed by 1.75 lengths.  

The form out of his second start at Mornington has stacked up nicely over the last few months and he should be forward nice and early from the wide gate looking to find the box seat.