Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for Geelong and Stony Creek

Champion jockey Damien Oliver ventures to Geelong where he has six rides, including two interesting runners for Danny O’Brien who have trialled well in Argonauts and Early Morning Rise.

Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley runs the rule over the Geelong and Stony Creek programs in search of a winner or two.

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GEELONG

BEST BET

IOWA HAWKEYE (R6, No. 6)

Been racing well over summer. Broke his maiden status four starts ago and followed that with two thirds and a fourth in city midweek races. Been freshened since last start fourth at Caulfield and Mike Moroney has added blinkers on again for him.

NEXT BEST

ANDRASSY AVENUE (R5, No. 8)

Led throughout to win Flemington jump-out on December 20. She was a smart two-year-old who was a winner at The Valley before she finished mid-field in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

VIDEO WATCH

ANCHORMAN (R8, No. 7)

Slowly away and checked in the early stages. Sat back and ran home well for third this track, class and distance last start behind Keymaster. Looks suited here.

Racing heads to Geelong and Stony Creek on Thursday afternoon.

WORTH NOTING

PATENTED (R1, No. 8)
Looked sharp wining a Balnarring jump-put on December 19 when he led throughout to defeat stablemate Supreme Idea who was a runaway winner at Geelong at his debut on December 26. He’s by Zoustar out of an Exceed And Excel mare.

EARLY MORNING RISE (R2, No. 8)

Former New Zealand filly owned by renowned breeders and owners the Chitticks by Fastnet Rock making her Australian debut for Danny O’Brien. She was placed at her first start at Te Aroha before failing on wet tracks at her next two starts. She recently won a Werribee trial and Damien Oliver rides.

Damien Oliver has some good rides for the Geelong

THE JOCKEY

DAMIEN OLIVER

Champion Damien Oliver has a strong book of rides. His best could be early in the day on ARGONAUTS (R1, No. 1) and EARLY MORNING RISE (R2, No. 8).

STONY CREEK

BEST BET

IMMELMAN (R8, No. 1)

Ran home well for third placing behind The Sidekick at Werribee last start which reads well for this. Also will have the services of top jockey Ben Allen.

NEXT BEST

KISHIDA (R1, No. 8)

Big watch on this three-year-old filly in the Lloyd Kennewell stable. Comfortable Sandown jump-out winner. By champion Japanese galloper and now sire whose progeny include Almond Eye in Lord Kanaloa.

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Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for Geelong and Stony Creek