Geelong Cup Day is a race meeting that OTI always looks forward to. More often than not, over the past 20 years, we have been represented by a runner or two in the main event. Indeed, we’ve taken home the Cup on four occasions in the past 16 editions (Bauer 2008, Gatewood 2012, Ibicenco 2013 and Amade 2023).
Returning to Geelong to defend his 2023 Cup crown is our veteran Amade, for Phillip Stokes. Ridden so well by Zac Spain last year, he will be accompanied this year by Daniel Stackhouse, who has formed a significant association with the horse in more recent times. In what will be his last season at the track, Amade is racing as well as ever, and heads to Geelong on the back of an excellent, last-start 3rd placing over 2500m in the Group 3 Bart Cummings. While Just Fine and Point King beat Amade to the line on that day at Flemington, his was the ‘flashing light’ run with a view to his preparation ahead. The Geelong Cup is yet to have a back-to-back victor across its history, but we hope that our 11-year-old marvel can be its first. View the full field here.
Amade wins the 2023 Geelong Cup with Zac Spain in the saddle.
Four others will support Amade on the card in two races at either end of the card. In Race 1, Daiquiri and Bellakai will contest a 2400m BM70 Handicap. Daiquiri has worked up to his preferred distance range by way of three lead-up runs that have been consistent without being outstanding. A horse that lacks a turn of foot to win at this level over 2000m and below, his future needs to be over the longer staying journeys. We hope to see him proving to have the required strength to run out the 2400m of Wednesday’s race, and perhaps beyond, with Michael Dee aboard on this occasion. View the full field and all race details here.
Bellakai is less exposed than Daiquiri and is considered a mare still on the up. With three wins already to her name from just the 8 starts, she is a lightly raced, improving stayer for the Symon Wilde team. In an easier race last start at Mt Gambier, she impressed in the way she relaxed through the run, head to her chest. She will need to race as tractably on Wednesday with the stiffer competition. Jockey Luke Currie will take the ride on the mare in the race.
In the last (Race 9), a Heat of the Country Series over 1500m, Belthil and Ruminate are set to vie for a spot in the 1600m $500,000 final on Oaks Day. A top 2 finish qualifies either (or both). Belthil has an enviable record first-up for Andrew Bobbin and will be seeking a repeat of similar efforts off a break in preparations past. Following throat surgery in the off-season to assist his breathing, Belthil has trialled up beautifully for his return and, from barrier 1, should get the run of the race for John Allen. View the full field here.
Belthil wins first-up at Geelong in March 2024.
Ruminate just missed qualification for this series final last start when finishing 3rd in Heat 3 at Hamilton following a wide run in transit. Declan Bates will attempt to finish at least one position closer at Geelong for trainer Matt Cumani and gain that vital position in the final. Ruminate has been a model of consistency over his past 7 race starts, either winning (twice) or finishing within 1.75l of the winner. This is a stiffer test for him, but a forward run would again not surprise.
We wish connections of all five horses the very best of luck in their respective races on Wednesday. We hope that the Geelong racetrack can continue to be a happy hunting ground for us.