Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for the Geelong program

It could pay to follow in-form jockey Damian Lane at Geelong, with the 20-time Group 1 winner booked to ride in the first three races only.

Damian Lane has three rides at Geelong on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Herald Sun’s Gilbert Gardiner runs the rule over the Monday program at Geelong as he aims to turn around some of the punishment punters endured at the weekend.

BEST BET

SACRED LASS R5 No. 5 $3.50

Nobody placing horses better than Phillip Stokes at the moment and this looks an incredibly winnable race for the ex-South Australian mare. Caught late at Geelong last start but should be mighty hard to beat from the rails draw today.

NEXT BEST

GUTSY R1 No. 2 $3.30

Surely the nine-start maiden — with seven placings to his name — deserves to get a win on the board? Has been runner-up at past three starts when not beaten far at all. Awkward draw but with even luck should be right in the finish.

DR SCHUTLZ R3 No. 2 $6

Finally gets some barrier relief and it could be the difference at the finish. Still a maiden but placed twice in seven starts. Went forward last start at Donald and was only nabbed late in the piece.

Damian Lane makes a brief visit to Geelong and could be worth following.

VALUE BET

REVLIS R6 No. 1 $10

Drops sharply in grade and second-up form strong enough to be winning this. Six runs second-up previously for a win and three placings. Five lengths off Titan Blinders last start, with that horse going on to trounce his opposition at Ballarat on Saturday. Definite each-way contender.

THE JOCKEY

DAMIAN LANE

20-time Group 1 jockey must be respected with only three rides at Geelong on Monday, including two for the astute Mathew Ellerton-Simon Zahra yard.

Lane’s rides include: GALACTUS (R1 No. 1 $6.50), QUEEN BRAHMOS (R2 No. 13 $23) and OZONE (R3 No. 5 $6.50)

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