2014 Group Two Geelong Cup Preview

It is hard to remember a more evenly matched field than the one that is set to contest the 2014 Group Two on Friday night. A case can be made for virtually every runner in the race with quality from the red rug right through to the pink.

$45,000 awaits the connections of the first dog past the post which is contested over the 460 metre journey.

Astute Devon Meadows mentor Darren McDonald took the honours in the heats and has qualified three runners for the final, with all appearing to have their share of winning claims.

The Cup final is the eighth race on the card and is scheduled to jump at 9:27pm.

ODDS COURTESY OF CENTREBET'S FIXED ODDS MARKET.

Box 1
Race Odds
$6.00
Heat Replay
Top Secret
Trainer
Owner
Paul Westerveld
Prizemoney
$68,840
Last 10 Starts
2111237111
31 Months Black Dog by Bartrim Bale Witch Fantasy
Start Good Running Middle Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $2,025 Rating 97
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
34 10 11 5
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
29% 76%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
3 3 0 0
Box 1 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 1 0
Kelly Bravo (Trainer)“He is drawn well, he loves the inside and he likes the track too, he won his heat and semi-final of The Great Chase at Geelong. He was drawn up the track a bit more on both of those occasions so he has a bit in his favour here. His first and second sections are his best but he can struggle a little bit at the end so he will need a good break on them.”
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.63 25.63 6.45 6.51
Box 2
Race Odds
$6.00
Heat Replay
Trainer
Jenny Hunt
Owner
Brendan Wheeler
Prizemoney
$22,865
Last 10 Starts
1112143331
24 Months Black Dog by Roxio Bale
Start Slow Running Middle Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $1,429 Rating 94
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
16 10 2 3
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
63% 94%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
4 2 0 2
Box 2 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 0 0
ARG opinion is – An exciting young dog who is sure to be finishing hard at the business end of the race. He can tend to be a little bit risky at box rise but is drawn to be given some space early.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.56 25.56 6.63 6.63
Box 3
Race Odds
$7.00
Heat Replay
Hallelujah Henry
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Jason McDonald
Prizemoney
$62,625
Last 10 Starts
4137521221
35 Months Fawn Dog by Lonesome Cry Lily Eve
Start Good Running Rail Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $1,739 Rating 95
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
36 15 6 5
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
42% 72%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
5 2 1 1
Box 3 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 0 0
ARG opinion is – A consistent on pacer who has a good record at Geelong. He will be looking for a little bit of room early and, if he gets it, he could well be in the finish.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.59 25.59 6.52 6.52
Box 4
Race Odds
$19.00
Heat Replay
Dyna Alchemist
Trainer
Owner
Brendan Wheeler
Prizemoney
$34,730
Last 10 Starts
6251112421
27 Months Black Dog by Superman Talia Bale
Start Risky Running Middle Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $1,929 Rating 94
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
18 6 7 2
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
33% 83%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 1 0
Box 4 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
4 2 1 0
Steve Collins (Trainer) – “If he can come out with them he is a big chance. He is fearless and will run straight through them. He is going well and is ready to go.”
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.65 25.65 6.60 6.60
Box 5
Race Odds
$3.00
Heat Replay
Luca Neveelk
Trainer
Gerald Kleeven
Owner
Paul Kleeven
Prizemoney
$57,865
Last 10 Starts
1411113111
29 Months Blue Dog by Talk's Cheap It's A Neveelk
Start Excellent Running Middle Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $2,411 Rating 100
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
24 20 0 2
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
83% 92%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 2 0 0
Box 5 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
1 1 0 0
ARG opinion is Boom dog with a strike rate who set the time standard in the heats with a 25.47 win. Has terrific early speed after he hits the ground and, if he can find the front early, it could be curtains for his opposition.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.47 25.47 6.43 6.43
Box 6
Race Odds
$3.40
Heat Replay
Awesome Project
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Brad Canty
Prizemoney
$257,930
Last 10 Starts
1114217111
43 Months Black Dog by Collision Honour Phase
Start Good Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $5,159 Rating 100
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
50 26 7 6
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
52% 78%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
1 1 0 0
Box 6 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
3 3 0
ARG opinion is – Seasoned Group performer who is back to his best. He has won his last three and is likely to land close to the lead early. He is the class runner of this field and looks set to give the race a big shake.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.55 25.55 6.60 6.60
Box 7
Race Odds
$21.00
Heat Replay
Swagzilla
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Prizemoney
$14,955
Last 10 Starts
1324121321
25 Months Blue Dog by Nova Surf
Start Good Running Rail Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $997 Rating 92
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
15 7 4 2
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
47% 87%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
3 3 0 0
Box 7 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 0 1 1
ARG opinion is – Young dog who is undefeated at Geelong in three outings. This race is one of the tougher assignments of his short career but he clearly has his share of ability.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.58 25.58 6.56 6.59
Box 8
Race Odds
$12.00
Heat Replay
Nockabout Aussie
Trainer
Peter Akathiotis
Owner
Peter Akathiotis
Prizemoney
$87,625
Last 10 Starts
6115113611
39 Months Blue Brindle Dog by Knocka Norris Aussie Nicky
Start Slow Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $1,328 Rating 96
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
66 15 12 7
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
23% 52%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
5 3 0 1
Box 8 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
9 0 3 1
Peter Akathiotis (Trainer) – “Unfortunately he has drawn the eight again, just like he did in the Victorian National Sprint final. This is a different track and it is about a 160 metre run into that first turn. I'm just hoping he comes out ok and stays straight so he has a bit of room to move. He showed a bit of common sense last week the way he raced so I hope he can again. I hope he can bring home the bikkies.”
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.55 25.55 6.61 6.79
1st Res
Race Odds
Heart Replay
Azza Azza Azza (SCRATCHED)
Trainer
Wayne Vassallo
Owner
Whittington Sprod Syndicate
Prizemoney
$45,990
Last 10 Starts
1121111412
29 Months Brindle Dog by Collision
Start Risky Running Middle Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $2,000 Rating 99
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
17 11 1 2
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
70% 87%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
5 3 2 0
Box Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
ARG opinion is – Did not have a lot of luck in his heat and would come into string consideration here if he gains a start, especially from an inside box.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
25.39 25.62 6.41 6.67
2nd Res
Race Odds
Heat Replay
Marcus Joe (SCRATCHED)
Trainer
Barry Moloney
Owner
Barry Moloney
Prizemoney
$222,130
Last 10 Starts
1172215322
43 Months Brindle Dog by Mojo Glory
Start Risky Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $4,271 Rating 97
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
52 16 12 6
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
31% 65%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
1 0 1 0
Box Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
ARG opinion is – Looked to have his heat won last week before being claimed on the line. He is an experienced conveyance and would not be the worst if he gained a start.
Best Geelong Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
NBT 25.65 6.53 6.53

The run to the first turn is going to be all-important in this race with at least half the field possessing enough pace to lead.

Top Secret (1) is drawn to find the front but will be under siege late in the race.

Luca Neveelk (5) is not always the first dog to leave the traps but hits the ground with a flurry and is another who could punch through and lead, if he does, he will take a power of beating.

If Awesome Project (6) can exit the boxes rapidly, the race could well be at his mercy, he has plenty of class and only needs to be near the front early to be a huge chance.

Swagzilla (7) has his share of early pace but will need luck to negotiate his way across from the wide draw.

Dyna Villa (2), Hallelujah Henry (3) and Dyna Alchemist (4) tend to be just off the pace early. They will be looking for some space to move to allow them to ply their trade and work their way into the event.

Nockabout Aussie (8) showed how strongly he can finish off his races when he ran down Marcus Joe in his heat win, however is likely to have to negotiate his way past a lot of dogs to win this.

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