The Darren Weir trained Gallic Chieftain heads the betting for the 2017 Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on Wednesday.
Gallic Chieftain, above, is the early favourite for the 2017 Geelong Cup at Geelong. Photo by Steve Hart.
Ladbrokes.com.au have installed Gallic Chieftain as the $3.20 favourite after the five year old drew barrier two in the twelve horse field.
Big race jockey Craig Williams takes over the reins from Dean Yendall who was aboard the five year old stayer last start when third behind Lord Fandango and Wall Of Fire in the Group 2 $400,000 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 14.
Yendall has stuck with the Archie Alexander trained Wheal Leisure after the pair combined to win the $250,000 Inglis Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 1.
Wheal Leisure is on the second line of betting at $6.50 and has drawn around the middle of the field at barrier seven.
The second of Weir’s Geelong Cup runners Kellstorm is also well in the betting at $7 and is coming off a last start third to Amelie’s Star in the Group 3 $300,000 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 7.
The next two in the market order Berisha at $7.50 and Grey Lion at $9.50 will clash again after running second and third respectively in the Listed $300,000 Cranbourne Cup (2025m) at Cranbourne on October 15.
The Robert Smerdon trained Berisha has drawn the outside barrier in the twelve horse Geelong Cup field with Ryan Maloney to ride while Luke Nolen will ride Grey Lion from gate eight.
Damien Oliver has taken the mount on the Troy Blacker trained Settler’s Stone who is one of the outsiders in the field at $21.
Oliver was aboard Settle’s Stone last start when the Tassie stayer finished third behind Sin To Win in a 2400m BenchMark 84 Handicap at Caulfield on October 18 and Blacker was thrilled to have the champion jockey back on his horse.
“There is no better distance rider than Damien Oliver, is there?” Blacker told the Geelong Advertiser.
“He’s won more Caulfield Cups than anyone riding today. He’s probably won more Melbourne Cups than anyone riding today.
“So he is a great distance rider, he’s got more than 100 Group 1 winners so he is the best.
“We’re hoping to add a Geelong Cup to the mantle piece.”
