Geelong Racing Club will host Summer Racing on Saturday as the mercury is tipped to peak at 36 degrees during the meeting. Gallopers will run on a Good 4 surface and a large holiday crowd is expected on course. My three best bets of the program are below, as we hope to start 2025 with some winners!
Geelong Racing Tips: Saturday, January 4th 2025
Race 5: Elegance Tiles Handicap - 2:35pm (AEDT)
*SCRATCHED* (10) Dont Hope Do has drawn the widest in barrier 10 but he has good credentials after saluting at Ballarat last start over 1100m. Before that run he ran on well at Cranbourne for 3rd (first up) and with more fitness on his side he will only be stronger to the line. He will get back again but I reckon he can round these up with 54.5kg on his back. Jordan Childs knows the horse well which helps.
(4) Luna Cat is consistent for the Hayes boys and does race well second up. Was 3rd last start after running on well and a top three finish looks on the cards again on a Good track.
(3) Lafargue has raced in better races than this and performed well. He is first up here for the Danny O’Brien Team and he has raced well fresh in previous starting preps.
(10) Dont Hope Do E/W
SCR
Race 8: Ladbrokes Coastal Classic - 4:35pm (AEDT)
(1) Holymanz is a Geelong winner and he comes off racing in much harder races than this. He does have to carry 60kg for Saffron Osborne but from barrier 6 he should be able to get a charmed run in transit. Since running on well for 3rd at Caulfield Heath he has had a short freshen up for this and he did win a Cranbourne trial two weeks ago. Hasn’t won in a year but goes well fresh.
(3) Dashing loves Dry ground which he gets again and he will go forward. Craig Newitt is on again and he is a good front running rider.
(2) Riot And Rose is on the quick back up despite pulling up lame on Boxing Day. Linda Meech stays on and knows the horse well. Werribee Cup winner for 2024 but first try beyond 1600m.
(1) Holymanz E/W
$3.20/$1.70 (1U/2U)
Race 10: Brandt Colac Handicap - 5:55pm (AEDT)
(4) Sweethearted has drawn wide here for the Philip Stokes yard but he was drawn wide last start too when he went back and powered to the line for 1st at Pakenham. A similar race shape will occur here you would think with Dan Stakhouse taking her back before hooking wide on the home turn for her run down the outside. Was 2nd at The Valley before that and the Dry track here suits. If he can handle barrier 14 and get a little luck he will be hard to stop.
(9) Harpalee hasn’t won in a while but is pretty consistent on Dry ground. She will settle on pace and she was unlucky last start at Pakenham. First try here and I see she has already been backed in from $18.00 to $13.00 since markets opened.
(3) Miss Altair was favourite when 2nd at Caulfield Heath last start. She is fitter now and may lead this lot for a long way.
(4) Sweethearted E/W
$4.20/$1.75 (1 Unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9
Leg two: 1, 2, 3
Leg three: 3, 5, 9, 11, 13
Leg four: 3, 4
