Geelong Tips & Preview | Wednesday 7 October 

With a maiden over 2270m and some uncertain form among the runners, this could become a demanding staying contest.

COLD SHOWER (2) made a promising start over 2000m at Ballarat, finishing third, beaten 3.75 lengths, despite starting at $41.

The Waterhouse and Bott-trained gelding settled handy as the tempo increased well before the turn.

He weakened late, but the way he stayed on suggests the experience will benefit him.

If he handles the Heavy 8, he can be in the mix.

FRINGILLA (9) looks suited by this assignment after facing tougher maidens in her two starts to date.

She finished sixth, beaten 1.97 lengths, on debut at Bendigo, working home well in testing conditions.

Last time at this track, she hit the front over 1425m but couldn’t hold off Stipulation.

That rival later finished fifth in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes, giving the form some substance.

Fringilla should be fitter for her third-up run and can take advantage of the inside draw to settle forward.

HEDJET (3) showed promise on Australian debut at Seymour, finishing second over 1429m despite covering extra ground.

The Clinton McDonald-trained entire was caught wide and had to work in the run, but still found the line to finish 2.25 lengths from the winner.

He should benefit from that first-up effort.

He also came within half a length of winning his only previous second-up start.

The barrier presents a challenge, although his early speed should give Ben Melham the chance to cross and settle in a forward position.

MR NATURAL (6) can improve on his first-up performance at Moe, where he finished six lengths fourth.

The Lindsey Smith-trained three-year-old raced wide and back before making some ground late.

His preparation had included encouraging jump-outs, capped by a win in his latest piece of work here.

He also finished a neck second on debut last preparation.

The bigger track, solid tempo and step up in distance could all suit, giving him the chance to show more.

TURBO SAINT (3) made a winning debut over this course and distance, settling into a nice run before finishing strongly to score by a length.

The Clinton McDonald-trained gelding should take benefit from that first race-day experience.

He also handled heavy going in a jump-out before his debut, which is encouraging given the conditions expected here.

With further improvement likely second-up, he maps to get another suitable run for Ben Melham.

POWER AND THE BEAT (2) resumes after finishing at the tail of the field in a significantly stronger race at Caulfield.

The Smiley Chan-trained gelding has won two of his four starts, including a victory over 1343m at this track.

His recent jump-out was encouraging, with a strong finish carrying him to a close second.

He has shown a tendency to become fired up during races, so pre-race earmuffs may help him settle.

Jamie Mott can look to position him forward.

BELLA VERONA (2) returned with a convincing win in a Class 1 Handicap at Bendigo, confirming the class edge she appeared to hold over her rivals.

The Matt Laurie-trained mare settled in the second half of the field before finishing powerfully to win over 1300m by a length.

She had previously placed in consecutive Open Three-Year-Old races at Sandown and Caulfield, so this assignment looks within her reach.

A solid tempo should suit her closing style and give her the chance to run down the leaders.

CUSHIONED (6) should appreciate stepping up in distance after making late ground when resuming here.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare settled well back before passing several runners to finish 3.6 lengths fourth.

She is likely to be fitter for that run.

In her first preparation, she finished a half-length second over a similar distance at Sale when second-up.

An economical run looks possible for Daniel Stackhouse, which would help her make the most of the extra distance.