As it tradition 13 days out from the Melbourne Cup, the Group 3 Geelong Cup will be run over 2400m on Wednesday at 4pm AEDT – and plenty of experts are tipping First Immortal to salute in style.
Trained by Mark and Levi Kavanagh, the four-year-old gelding has dominated the market betting, and with champion jockey Jamie Kah securing the ride, he will be hard to beat, despite drawing barrier 15.
Other fancied chances for the race include Ashrun, Virtuous Circle and More Felons.
Staged annually at Geelong Racecourse in Victoria, the Cup was first run in 1872 and has a prize purse of $500,000.
Below is Daily Mail Australia’s runner-by-runner guide to the Geelong Cup:
First Immortal (pictured, left) is the pick of many racing experts ahead of the Geelong Cup on Wednesday
Talented hoop Jamie Kah (pictured, above) will be on board the pre-race favourite at Geelong
1. Spanish Mission (barrier 11)
SCRATCHED
2. Ashrun (barrier 1)
A notorious slow starter, could prove crucial. Also dropped 1.5kg to race.
Odds: $7
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
3. King Frankel (barrier 3)
Quality of the field could prove his undoing.
Odds: $14
Jockey: Jamie Mott
Trainer: Annabel Neasham
4. Sheraz (barrier 12)
SCRATCHED
5. Magical Lagoon (barrier 5)
Should comfortably run the distance, also can call on a very handy jockey in the soon to be retired Damien Oliver.
Odds: $21
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Trainer: Chris Waller
Master trainer Chris Waller has four starters in the Geelong Cup, including the highly fancied More Felons from Ireland
6. More Felons (barrier 10)
Overseas form reads quite well and has the formidable Chris Waller/Michael Dee factor going for him.
Odds: $8.50
Jockey: Michael Dee
Trainer: Chris Waller
7. Virtuous Circle (barrier 4)
Absolutely luckless in The Bart Cummings, poised for a big run here.
Odds: $7.50
Jockey: Damian Lane
Trainer: Liam Howley
8. Fancy Man (barrier 17)
SCRATCHED
9. High Emocean (barrier 16)
She has the scope to improve, but best days appear to be behind her.
Odds: $26
Jockey: Harry Coffey
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Formidable trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will be hoping Sir Lucan stuns the Group 3 field
10. Sir Lucan (barrier 2)
Likes to lead, but prefer others over this distance.
Odds: $23
Jockey: Linda Meech
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
11. Amade (barrier 13)
Appears to be just making up the numbers. A win will shock.
Odds: $31
Jockey: Zac Spain
Trainer: Phillip Stokes
12. Mount Popa (barrier 14)
Another one where if he features at the winning post, it will be a stunning result.
Odds: $67
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Trainer: Michael, Wade and John Hawkes
13. First Immortal (barrier 15)
Will take some stopping, run in The Bart Cummings was outstanding.
Odds: $2.80
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Trainer: Mark and Levi Kavanagh
Trainers Mark Kavanagh (pictured, right) and Levi Kavanagh have high hopes for First Immortal
14. Timour (barrier 9)
Highly unlikely to topple the field. Triple figure odds for a reason.
Odds: $126
Jockey: Beau Mertens
Trainer: Chris Waller
15. Ferago (barrier 6)
Veteran who career race record can’t be ignored.
Odds: $71
Jockey: Harry Grace
Trainer: Patrick F Ryan Jnr
16. Mr Waterville (barrier 7)
Irish stayer who is capable, but finished last over the same distance in his most recent run.
Odds: $19
Jockey: Craig Williams
Trainer: Chris Waller
17. The Map (barrier 8)
Last start win, but a significant step up in class at Geelong.
Odds: $61
Jockey: Ben Price (apprentice)
Trainers: Dan Clarken and Oppy Macgillivray
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is chasing glory on Magical Lagoon ahead of his retirement in December
Bet Right CEO Anthony Waller believes it will take a special run to beat First Immortal.
‘He is chasing a Melbourne Cup start, and showed his class in the Living Legends Handicap at Caulfield last month,’ Waller told Daily Mail Australia.
‘He was also very unlucky to finish second in the Group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington.
‘Despite drawing awkwardly in barrier 14, First Immortal has the early speed to overcome this and with gun jockey Jamie Kah on board, should give backers a good sight.’
Waller also tipped the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained High Emocean to be in the mix alongside Virtuous Circle, who was runner-up in the Group 1 ATC Derby earlier this year.
Bet Right selections:
1. First Immortal
2. High Emocean
3. Virtuous Circle
