Vengeur Masque has won the Geelong Cup, edging out favourite Gallic Chieftain by a head.
1. Vengeur Masque
2. Gallic Chieftain
3. Violate
4. Berisha
A direct entry to Australia’s biggest race goes on the line in the Geelong Cup with Gallic Chieftain the favourite. Join The Roar for live updates of the race from 4pm (AEDT).
There are a number of races where horses can gain an automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November, and this, raced over 2400 metres at the Geelong Racecourse, is one of them.
A 12-horse field has presented itself for the race, with Darren Weir’s Gallic Chieftain being the favourite to take it out.
The French horse hasn’t ridden since the third of October in the Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield, running third behind Lord Fandango in that race.
Despite that performance, the field for the Geelong Cup doesn’t look overly strong. Kellstorm, also trained by Weir and Wheal Leisure, trained by Archie Alexander are rated as the horses most likely to challenge for the Geelong crown.
Wheal Leisure’s last race came in the Inglis Cup at Caulfield on the first of October, with that ending in a comprehensive win. It was the second straight win for Alexander’s mare after she also took out a race in Bendigo during September.
Despite not doing a great deal of racing since May, Wheal Leisure has been in strong form when she has raced, and will be a formidable challenger for Chieftain in Geelong.
Also catching the eye on the start list is Grey Lion, with the Irish registered horse high on the Melbourne Cup acceptance list already. The form of Grey Lion hasn’t been sensational though, with the Matt Cumani finishing third last time out, and missing the top spots all together in the race before that at Moonee Valley.
Prediction
It’s extremely difficult to go past Gallic Chieftain as favourite, but I’m going to. Wheal Leisure is in great form, and I expect her to cause the upset in the Geelong Cup, booking a spot in the race that stops a nation.
1. Wheal Leisure
2. Gallic Chieftain
3. Kellstorm
4. Berisha
Be sure to join The Roar from 4pm (AEDT) for live coverage of the race and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Sam
Guest
You do realize that the Geelong Cup doesn't earn automatic qualification?
Rocket Surgeon
Guest
Scott, Your race results are wrong. Grey Lion came 4th.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll do it here on The Roar for our live coverage of the Geelong Cup. Thanks for joining us. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full results 1. Vengeur Masque 2. Gallic Chieftain 3. Violate 4. Berisha 5. Kawabata 6. Wheal Leisure 7. Gallante 8. Setller's Stone 9. Lizzie L'Amour 10. Fanatic 11. Grey Lion 12. Kellstorm
Scott Pryde
Expert
Superb race from Venger Masque. Was paying $15 for the win.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good start for Kellstorm and Gallante with Gallic Chieftain also in a good position. Lizzie L'Amour takes the early lead on the rail with Vengeur Masque, Grey Lion and Gallante settling in. Through 1700 to go and it's Lizzie L'Amour leading by three lengths with Vengeur Masque and Grey Lion in second and third right on each other. Gallante leads the rest another couple of lengths back, followed by the favourites as the field starts to split. Lizzie L'Amour continues to lead, but the field is starting to close up now as we head into the final 1000. Through the 800 and it's Vengeur Masque starting to come around the outside, and the favourite Gallic Chieftain is locked on the inside in an ordinary position. Violate around the outside and Fanatic has come up the inside. It's close to the line and Gallic Chieftain came up the inside, but might have just left the run a fraction late, and yes! It's Venger Masque who sat second for most of the race who has won two wide of the rail by a head ahead of Gallic Chieftain and Violate, who came through in third. Grey Lion comes through in fourth.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Underway!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berisha the last into the gate. Field is loaded for the 2017 Geelong Cup.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gallante, Violate and Berisha the stragglers to get into the gate. About ready to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Horses are moving in now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Looks like there is going to be a slight delay here. Berisha needs some sort of running repairs as the horses mill around behind the barriers.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Grey Lion is my roughie of choice. I think a place finish is more realistically there though. Gallic Chieftain might in with a run for the post here if they can settle in on the inside line, but has to make sure they don't get stuck on the final stretch when they jump
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wheal Leisure is currently paying $7 as the second favourite for the race. Horses starting to get into position.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Roarers, who are you tipping?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not a great deal of movement in the odds. Gallic Chieftain is still at $3 for the win. 8 minutes to the jump.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The horses are out in the mounting yard. Here's a reminder of the full field 1. Gallante (Barrier 11) 2. Lizzie L'Amour (9) 3. Berisha (12) 4. Gallic Chieftain (2) 5. Grey Lion (8) 6. Fanatic (3) 7. Vengeur Masque (10) 8. Kellstorm (1) 9. Settler's Stone (4) 10. Violate (6) 11. Wheal Leisure (7) 12. Kawabata (5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's 16 degrees and partly cloudy in Geelong. The track is rated as a soft (5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
The race is due to get underway in about 12 minutes time.
Scott Pryde
Expert
G'day all and it's a warm welcome to The Roar's live coverage of the 2017 Geelong Cup. A spot in the Melbourne Cup is on the line, so there is plenty on the line over the 2400 metres this afternoon.