Geelong Cup 2023: Live updates, form guide, betting odds from the racecourse
The Geelong Cup has been won in a blowout result, as punters braved chilly conditions at the racecourse. WATCH THE VIDEO
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Philip Stokes-trained Amade has won the $500,000 Geelong Cup.
In a blowout result, the $34 chance won in a driving finish from Ashrun and Sir Lucan.
Mr Waterville was fourth and More Felons was fifth. There was less than a length between the first five horses across theline.
The $2.90 favourite First Immortal, ridden by Jamie Kah, had a nice run in transit but was gone not long after straighteningand finished seventh, beaten 1.6 lengths.
Stokes said it was a “fantastic win” by Amade.
“He’d been building up to this, his run in the Bart Cummings was good,” Stokes said.
Stokes said the Melbourne Cup was unlikely for Amade and instead the Queen Elizabeth Stakes could be the better option.
Amade was 40th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry before the Geelong Cup.
Winning jockey Zac Spain said they had planned to roll foward but a slow start put paid to that.
“We rode him quiet, he was bolting coming to the corner, he sprinted really well,” Spain said.
First Immortal was vetted before the race but was cleared to run.
Rain started to fall heavily just before the start of the 2400m race.
Geelong trainer’s trio of winners
Geelong trainer Danny O’Brien finished with three winners on Geelong Cup day with Served Cold taking out the Geelong Classic.
O’Brien is eyeing Oaks Day for the Barwon Heads filly, with the win at Geelong a much better return than Served Cold’s last run at Flemington.
“Nothing went her way Flemington, we were disappointed on the day but the more you analysed it you couldn’t be too critical,” he said.
“She had an easy couple of weeks after that, being very focused to trying to get her to the Oaks and we were always going to have one run too few rather than one run too many.
“This race just worked in perfectly with her program and she’d already been here and won and it’s a local track for us – she’s out at Barwon Heads property.
“She is a very natural staying filly, just has that good cardio that means she can probably run 2000m in her first start.
“She has found no problems today with the 2200m and fitness wise that will be enough for her to go to the Oaks.”
He then made it three in race eight with five-year-old gelding Lafargue first past the post in the 1200m Hamilton Group Dual Choice Plate, with O’Brien not surprised by the result.
“We thought he ran well in probably harder races his first two starts at Sandown and Rosehill,” he said.
“He’s obviously got an affinity with this track.
“He came here in good form.
“Probably the ease of the win might have surprised but we thought he’d be pretty hard to beat.”
Fashion reigns in cold conditions
Despite the dreary conditions, Fashions on the Field entrants showed off bright colours and prints while they strutted their stuff on the runway.
The competition was hosted by local personality Nadia Stamp.
Layce Renee Vocale from Melbourne won the best frock category with an orange dress by Gigi Tailor.
She paired the dress with a vintage Italian silk scarf and blue pumps.
This is the 34-year-old’s second time competing in the Geelong Cup’s Fashions on the Field and said it was “unbelievable” to win.
“I will definitely be coming back next year,” Ms Vocale said.
Eric Grinham won the best suit category in an all-white ensemble and Eliza Fraser took out the best millinery category with a pink, broad-brimmed hat decorated with light pink flowers.
GT editor and judge Sarah Bieske said it was difficult to choose the top three winners.
“Everyone went to so much effort and we had so much colour,” she said.
“The winning frocks, suits and millinery were contemporary but classic.
“I was really impressed with a number of entrants wearing sustainable fashion and reused, rented or made their outfits.”
Punters pour through gates
Spectators are continuing to through the gates of the Geelong Racecourse despite cold and wet conditionss, with many keen to soak up the region’s biggest day on the spring racing.
Racergoer Paul Roz from Geelong said he was excited to watch the horse racing as well as the Fashions on the Field.
“This is my third Geelong Cup,” he said.
“I love supporting our community and seeing everyone happy and having a great time.”
Jennipending claimed victory in a tight finish in race four. Outta Compton (2nd) and Ghetto Superstar (3rd) placed as Geelong trainer Danny O’Brien’s horse Lovadou missed out on third in a photo finish.
Boldinho braved the pouring rain and swirling winds to win the third race of the day ahead of Pantelone (2nd) and Sistine Explorer (3rd).
Mornington Glory took out the second race on Geelong Cup day, an unlikely achievement given it had been marked as retired.
Trainer Gavin Bedggood explained that there were “a few hoops” to jump through but said it came to them in great condition.
“He’s a lovely horse, he came to us in great condition and he’s just a very easy horse to have around, everybody loves him,” Bedggood said.
“He was actually marked as retired so it was a few hoops to jump through to get him reinstated and I’d had a bit of luck with (a horse) of the same ownership and that was the story behind getting this horse. Very grateful to have a horse of his class sent to me.”
Horse owner and avid racegoer Connor White said he was keen to support his fellow owners and trainers.
“This is my fourth Geelong Cup,” he said.
“I’m excited for the main dance.”
Geelong trainer claims win in opener
Geelong trainer Danny O’Brien has saluted in the opening race of Geelong Cup day with favourite King’s Crossing charging home in the last 200m to claim the win.
It brings up King’s Crossing’s second win at Geelong, also coming third in last year’s Geelong Classic.
O’Brien said that he was confident despite the late burst at the finish.
“We were happy, we were in a good position. I always prefer when these staying races are truly run, give each horse their best chance. It was a good gallop and chimed in at the right time, just probably needs to learn to put the race to bed when he gets there,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien was pleased with the preparation of Served Cold, who is among the favourites in the Geelong Classic
“Very happy with her, she ran on the same day as Kings Crossing... She’s done well in the last couple of weeks and she’s in the right race to see what she can do,” he said.
Protesters hit the track
Animal rights protesters have descended on the Geelong Racecourse ahead of the Geelong Cup.
Protesters from the Coalitions for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) and the Animal Justice Party held signs and flags out front of the main entrance.
The group chanted “horse racing kills” and received some heckles back from spectators.
Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses campaign director Elio Celotto said the group believed young horses were pushed beyond their physical limits “far too often”.
“When they retire, most of them don’t have a life after racing and end up being killed,” he said.
“We think it’s unconscionable for the racing industry to be producing these horses for entertainment and for profit.”
Mr Celotto said the group protested in metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.
CPR spokeswoman Kristin Leigh said true animal lovers were saying “nup to the Geelong Cup”.
“Two of the 168 horses (at least) to be killed on Australian racetracks in the last racing year suffered and died on the Geelong racetrack,” she said.
“Bo Rebellion was being beaten with a whip as she was trying to slow down. She collapsed and died before the finish line. Eagle Queen sustained what the industry refer to as a ‘serious racing injury’ and fell mid-race so was euthanised.”
Full guide to Geelong Cup
It’s the biggest day of the region’s racing calendar, and punters have been assured wet weather won’t dampen Wednesday’s Geelong Cup.
Thousands of racegoers are expected to descend on Geelong Racecourse at Breakwater for racing, fun and fashion.
But, visitors might want to rug up with the weather bureau predicting rain, possible hail and a top of just 13C.
Melbourne form man Cameron Happ is banking on Jamie Kah having a day out at Geelong on Cup Day.
Click here for Geelong fields, form, speedmaps, odds comparison and more.
First Immortal, ridden by star Victorian jockey Jamie Kah, is the short-priced favourite in the Geelong Cup at $2.90, while Ashrun and Virtuous Circle have also been well backed at $5.50 apiece.
Geelong Racing Club chief executive Luke Rayner said there would be plenty of undercover areas for racegoers to keep warm and dry.
“It looks a little bit on the chilly side, but it does look like very little rain so we are hoping the community are still keen to come out,” he said.
“I’m sure everyone can throw the suit or the overcoat on and get down here and have a great time.”
The weather bureau has predicted up to 2mm of rain, but Mr Rayner said this would not impact racing.
“There will be zero impact to the track, it will be as good as it can be come race day,” Mr Rayner said.
Gates to the Breakwater Rd course open at 11am and there will be nine races held throughout the day, with the first at 12.30pm.
The main event, the Geelong Cup, is race seven, starting at 4pm, with 17 horses vying for the coveted prize.
In 2022 about 11,000 people were trackside to watch the first Geelong Cup held since 2019.
Mr Rayner said the club was expecting similar crowds this year.
“There will be lots to do and lots to see,” he said.
“We have live music from 3pm out on the public lawn area so that will be a great spot for people to catch up and have a great time.”
Mr Rayner said while the cup was the “stand out” race, punters should also keep an eye on race five, the Geelong Classic.
“The last race of the day is a series heat into the Country Final at Flemington (Racecourse) which is always a good one to watch and round out the race card,” he said.
“There are really strong fields throughout the day … and some high quality horses.
“(Chris) Waller has great representation from his stable with five (horses in the Geelong Cup) so he is keen to win the race.”
Geelong Cup fashion ambassador Sharon Smith said she was looking forward to frocking up for the day.
Ms Smith fell in love with racing and fashion at the age of 20.
Her eye for detail and dedication to style has won her a number of Fashions on the Field sashes over the years, but her most significant was being named a winner at Derby Day at Flemington last year.
Parking will be free on race day and punters can catch public transport to and from the track.
Free bus transport will run from South Geelong station along Yarra St to the racecourse every 30 minutes, between 10.30am and 1.30pm.
Buses will also run from the bus parking area at the Geelong Showgrounds to South Geelong Station and the Moorabool St bus interchange between 4.30pm and 7pm.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) is planning a ‘Nup to the Cup’ protest out the racecourse’s main entrance.
The group said a public holiday celebrating “abuse in the name of entertainment and gambling profits” was “outdated and barbaric”.
Originally published as Geelong Cup 2023: Live updates, form guide, betting odds from the racecourse
Join the conversation
Traffic slowed after Geelong West crash
A crash on a main road on Friday afternoon has held up traffic.
Read more
Show to go on despite possible ‘severe’ storm
A severe storm could hit Geelong on Friday, following flash flooding that sparked numerous State Emergency Service call-outs.
Read more