AU - Geraldton - Race 9

Thoroughbred

12 Runners

Benchmark

Turf

GOOD 3

16.1K

VIEW

Verdict

LILLIAN (7) showed plenty of ability last season as a 3-year-old, finishing fourth over 1 ?m in the LR Belmont Classic at Belmont Park at her last run before having a well-earned spell. She will be a lot stronger now, and looked forward at a recent trial. On top for us. SOUTHLAND (9) was a beaten short-priced favourite and finished fourth last start over 6f here 3 weeks ago. She is better than that, and with the blinkers on for the first time, she will be among the hardest to beat in this. Follow your money. SPARKLE CORNER (8) stuck on for sixth last start over 6f here after racing on the pace. That was his first run for his new local trainer, and he needed it. Expect him to finish a lot closer this time. Each way. LEADING TADDY (5) has been out of form for some time, but will find this much easier. A form reversal would not be a surprise. HEZANGELIC (2) needed his fresh-up run here a month ago, and should be some good value at odds in this field. Stick with him.

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Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
7	Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation fourth of 7 at Belmont Park in the LR Bel Classic July 26 over 1m, soft track, 6 len behind Arcadia Park carrying 121lbs at $11. When resuming last campaign seventh of 13 at Bunbury Cl1 June 5 over 6f, soft track, 4.5 len behind Run Pattie Run carrying 128lbs at $9. Expected to feature. 1st Pick 7 Lillian Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter Trainer: Michael Grantham J: Clint Johnston-Porter T: Michael Grantham	151	-	-	-	19%
Analysis Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation fourth of 7 at Belmont Park in the LR Bel Classic July 26 over 1m, soft track, 6 len behind Arcadia Park carrying 121lbs at $11. When resuming last campaign seventh of 13 at Bunbury Cl1 June 5 over 6f, soft track, 4.5 len behind Run Pattie Run carrying 128lbs at $9. Expected to feature.
9	Third-up today. First-up favourite, ran on from midfield and won by 1.4 len at this track Cl2 November 26 over 5 ½f defeating Send It Son with 130lbs at $3.10. Last start 4th of 9 at this track Rtg 58+ on December 6 over 6f, 5 len behind Southern Scandal with 125lbs at $1.85. Handy strike-rate and rates highly. 2nd Pick 9 Southland Jockey: Troy Turner Trainer: Gordon Spowart J: Troy Turner T: Gordon Spowart	123	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Third-up today. First-up favourite, ran on from midfield and won by 1.4 len at this track Cl2 November 26 over 5 ½f defeating Send It Son with 130lbs at $3.10. Last start 4th of 9 at this track Rtg 58+ on December 6 over 6f, 5 len behind Southern Scandal with 125lbs at $1.85. Handy strike-rate and rates highly.
8	At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 at this track Rtg 58+ on December 6 over 6f, 8 len behind Southern Scandal carrying 128lbs at $12. The start before that ran last of 13 at Belmont Park 0Mwly on October 29 over 7f, 8 len behind Mia Gusto carrying 123lbs at $12. Hard to beat on his best form. 3rd Pick 8 Sparkle Corner Jockey: Laqdar Ramoly Trainer: Ron Cowl (Jnr) J: Laqdar Ramoly T: Ron Cowl (Jnr)	93	-	-	-	7%
Analysis At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 at this track Rtg 58+ on December 6 over 6f, 8 len behind Southern Scandal carrying 128lbs at $12. The start before that ran last of 13 at Belmont Park 0Mwly on October 29 over 7f, 8 len behind Mia Gusto carrying 123lbs at $12. Hard to beat on his best form.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Handicap

A race where a handicapper has assigned weights to be carried by all runners on the basis of their past racing efforts.

Exacta

A bet selecting the first and second horses in a race in the correct order. An exacta box refers to paying a little more to ensure they can finish in either order.

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.