A twelve horse field will line up in the 2017 Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on Wednesday.

Gallante, above, is the top weight for the Geelong Cup at Geelong. Photo by Steve Hart.

Last year’s Sydney Cup winner Gallante will carry the top weight of 58kg and has drawn poorly at barrier eleven with Katelyn Mallyon in the saddle.

The Lloyd Williams owned, Robert Hickmott trained Gallante has had one run back from a spell for a last of fifteen behind Harlem in the Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) (2000m) at Caulfield on September 23 which was a long way off his best form that saw him win the 2016 Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.

Caulfield Cup winning trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig only have one runner in the Geelong Cup, five year old Fanatic who drew barrier three with Michael Walker booked to ride.

Fanatic has been just off the pace lately and is coming off a last start sixth to Lord Fandango in the Group 2 $400,000 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 14.

Victoria’s leading trainer Darren Weir will saddle up two runners in the Geelong Cup, Gallic Chieftain and Kellstorm with both stayers enjoying a good barrier draw.

Kellstorm with Michel Dee in the saddle has drawn the rails while Craig Williams’ mount Gallic Chieftain will be loaded into the starting gates next to him in barrier two.

The Robert Smerdon trained Berisha found some improving form last start for a second to Folkswood in the Listed $300,000 Cranbourne Cup (2025m) at Cranbourne on October 15 but will have to overcome the outside alley with Ryan Maloney retaining the mount.

Cranbourne Cup third placegetter Grey Lion has drawn just worse than midfield at barrier eight with Luke Nolen replacing Dean Yendall.

Damien Oliver will ride the Tasmanian stayer Settler’s Stone who has drawn nicely at barrier four.