Maddie Raymond-trained Turaath the best bet on Geelong Cup day

Smart mare Turaath can post a second-up win while champion jockey James McDonald has four strong winning chances at Wednesday’s Geelong Cup meeting.

Smart mare Turaath can post a second-up win in Wednesday's Listed Black Pearl Stakes at Geelong. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters looks at Wednesday’s Geelong Cup meeting.

EST BET

TURAATH (Race 9 No.1 – $5)

Classy mare that didn’t have much luck when resuming at Caulfield last time out. She’ll be much fitter for that and should be harder to beat this time.

NEXT BEST

MARIMENKO (Race 4 No.8 – $7.50)

Marimenko did a good job when not far away first-up at Cranbourne. He’ll be fitter and races well over 1400m. Expecting plenty of improvement.

MINSK MOMENT (Race 6 No.4 – $2.70)

The Chris Waller-trained Minsk Moment hit the line well when close-up in Sydney first-up. He races best over 1200m and should go close second-up.

GRAND PIERRO (Race 7 No.3 – $14)

Grand Pierro was outsprinted by the smart Mr Maestro at Flemington but might find this a shade easier. He’s racing like the 2200m will suit.

Marimenko can build on an encouraging first-up run at Geelong on Wednesday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

VALUE BET

REUBER (Race 10 No.1 – $23)

Reuber did well to score first-up last time in and was competitive throughout his last preparation. Expecting him to be prominent at odds in the last.

THE JOCKEY

JAMES MCDONALD

James McDonald won the Geelong Cup in 2015 and has a chance to repeat that win among four rides on Wednesday. MINSK MOMENT (Race 6 No.4 – $2.70), IGNACIO (Race 7 No.7 -$7.50), SUREFIRE (Race 8 No.7 – $4.80), KATALIN (Race 9 No.5 – $3.50).

Originally published as Maddie Raymond-trained Turaath the best bet on Geelong Cup day