Geegees Goldengirl draws perfect barrier in Hobart Cup

Connections are hoping that Geegees Goldengirl can go one better than last year after drawing perfectly in the Group 3 $200,000 Hobart Cup (2400m) at Hobart on Sunday.

Big Duke, above, is the short priced favourite for the Hobart Cup at Hobart. Photo by Ultimate Racing  Photos.

Big Duke, above, is the short priced favourite for the Hobart Cup at Hobart. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Geegees Goldengirl ran second to Up Cups in the Hobart Cup twelve months ago and owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard believe barrier four in the field of ten is perfect and will give her every chance to claim the winning trophy.

“Goldengirl goes into this year’s Cup with great form and this barrier is perfect for her,” Paul Geard told The Mercury.

“We spoke to her trainer, Stuart Gandy, before we attended the barrier draw and he said he would like three or four so we’ve done the right thing.

“She was very impressive in winning the Summer Cup carrying more weight than she will carry on Sunday and the trainer said he couldn’t be happier with her form going into the Cup.”

Geegees Goldengirl has found winning form at the right time with a last start win in the $50,000 Summer Cup (2200m) at Hobart on January 22 which was her first victory since taking out the $100,000 Devonport Cup (1880m) at Devonport two starts before last year’s Hobart Cup.

Sigrid Carr has been the five year old mare’s regular rider for the past two years, including her wins in the Devonport Cup and the Summer Cup, and will be aboard again on Sunday.

Geegees Goldengirl is on the third line of betting for the Hobart Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au at $7.50 behind the $1.85 favourite Big Duke and Cool Chap marked at $4.

The Darren Weir trained Big Duke is chasing a hat trick of wins after blitzing his rivals by four and a half lengths in an 1800m BenchMark 78 Handicap at Caulfield on December 26 followed by a win over 2040m in a BenchMark 78 Handicap at Moonee Valley on January 21.

Syndey based jockey Brenton Avdulla takes the ride on Big Duke who has drawn wide at gate nine while Kerrin McEvoy is aboard Cool Chap who will jump from barrier six.

Cool Chap will appreciate the step up to the 2400m of the Hobart Cup after running second to Big Duke over 204om in a BenchMark 78 Handicap at Moonee Valley on January 21.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.