Race 2 – Prestige Jayco Geelong Maiden Plate (1225 METRES)
1 ACT NATURAL – $2.90
A serial placegetter but not through lack of trying. Has returned in strong order, finishing runner-up in all three runs this prep including a nose defeat at Pakenham last start when leading them up. Maps similarly here from the wide alley and handles all conditions. The one they’ll have to get past again.
11 SIESTA – $3.40
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr rarely send one to Geelong unless it’s ready to win. Siesta’s record of 5:0-3-1 tells the story—always around the mark but yet to land the prize. Resumed with two strong Cranbourne jump outs before running on strongly first-up in a deep maiden at Kensington. Clear danger.
15 GRINZINGER TUNDRA – $6.50
Has been thrown in the deep end early, tackling a Flemington VOBIS race on debut. Didn’t fire there but fitter for the effort and gelded since. Had two decent jump outs coming in and blinkers off might settle him. Watch for improvement with Craig Williams going aboard.
Rusty’s Verdict: Hard to ignore the pattern forming with ACT NATURAL. Deserves to break through. SIESTA will make it a race late, but if Stackhouse controls it early, ACT NATURAL should finally salute. Monitor the betting for any money on GRINZINGER TUNDRA.
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Race 3 – Roderick Insurance Brokers Maiden Plate (1425 METRES)
2 ILOVETHISTOWN – $4.60
Consistent and lightly raced, this gelding has been placed in town on multiple occasions. Should be nearing peak fitness fourth up and gets the services of Luke Currie. Wide draw is a knock, but has tactical speed to offset. Always finds one better but gets another genuine look here.
3 SMOTHER – $5.50
Another one building towards a win. Finally showed something last start here at Geelong when leading them up and only nailed late. Has had excuses previously and draws much better this time. Looks a likely improver if he can repeat that front-running style.
6 AMAZAKE – $3.20
Form behind Prestige Ole at Flemington jumps off the page. Wasn’t disgraced in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes either. Drawn horribly in 16 and resumes off average jump outs, but the talent is clearly there. Expect him to be charging late if they overdo it up front.
Rusty’s Verdict: ILOVETHISTOWN should get every chance to win if he handles the tricky draw. SMOTHER can lead and give a big sight again. AMAZAKE will be popular but might be one run short. Betting will tell the story.
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Race 4 – Geelong Taxi Network Maiden Plate (2440 METRES)
5 STAR OF STIRLING (GB) – $3.10
Has found his feet since getting out in trip. A soft run here at home over 2000m two starts back was solid and followed that with a good placing in a small field. Very well bred (Sea The Stars x Galileo) and looks to be crying out for this sort of distance. Serious chance.
6 WALLENBERG – $2.80
Improving stayer for the Hayes camp. Has gone close in his last two at synthetic and heavy tracks. Looks to have finally worked it all out. Blinkers on and Ben Allen sticks. Ready to peak.
9 THREE REEL ROSES – $5.00
The perennial bridesmaid but not without talent. Keeps finding one better but rarely runs a bad race. Might appreciate a softer tempo and good draw. Maps beautifully to stalk the speed and be there when it counts.
Rusty’s Verdict: This looks a nice race for WALLENBERG to knock over his maiden after a couple of luckless seconds. STAR OF STIRLING is the danger, especially if the sting is out. THREE REEL ROSES can fill another placing. If you’re building multis, include all three.
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Rusty’s Record: Analytical, methodical, and no nonsense. Provincial and country form is his wheelhouse—he knows how to spot a plodder from a progressive type. Follow Rusty on these lower-key cards for good-value multis and early double edges.
