Talented stayer Sertorius has been included in the 2014 Geelong Cup field and will carry the top weight of 58 kilograms in the Group 3 event at Geelong on Wednesday.
Sertorius will be the only locally-trained runner in the 2014 Geelong Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Sertorius (barrier 11) will be returning to handicap conditions for the first time during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival after he performed fairly at weight-for-age level in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30, the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13 and the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on 11 October.
The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) was the initial spring target for Sertorius, but co-trainer Jamie Edwards elected not to back-up the Galileo gelding in the Group 1 event and save him for the Geelong Cup before heading to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.
Saab Hasan-trained Shoreham is another Melbourne Cup hopeful that has been included in the Geelong Cup field and he will carry the second top-weight of 55 kilograms in the $300,000 event on Wednesday.
Shoreham has not recorded a race win since he took out the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) in September last year, but Hasan has been happy with the Reset gelding this preparation and was thrilled with his effort in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.
Promising filly Zanbagh has twice been placed at Group 1 level over 2400 metres, finishing second in the 2013 Crown Oaks as well as the 2014 Australia Oaks, and the Bernardini mare will be stepping up to her preferred trip for the first time this preparation in the Geelong Cup.
Zanbagh returned to racing with a ninth place finish in the 1500 metre handicap at Moonee Valley on August 23 and was sixth in the 1600 metre handicap at the same venue on September 6 before she finished a credible third in the Benalla Cup (2046m) on October 5.
Ken Keys-trained Like A Carousel is the only horse that has been included in the Geelong Cup field that is taking winning form into the race after he scored a tough staying win in the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) at Sandown on September 27.
Like A Carousel remains in the entries for the Melbourne Cup, but would need to win the Geelong Cup and earn a significant weight penalty from Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter to be any chance of earning a start.
Imported stayer Marksmanship may not be taking winning form into the Geelong Cup, but he finished a credible second behind Who Shot Thebarman in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington on October 4, while Correggio was placed in the Benella Cup.
Wish Come True (barrier four), More Than Sacred (barrier 13), Caravan Rolls On (barrier two), Ominous (barrier nine), Ali Vital (barrier five), Pretty Blonde (barrier three) and Waltzing To Win (barrier eight) round out the 2014 Geelong Cup field.
