Geelong Preview & Best Bets – 24/04/2024

Our form expert provides tips for today’s Geelong horse racing at Geelong Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Geelong Tips 24/04/2024

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 3 No. 4 RUAKAKA RISING- ($2.60) 

RUAKAKA RISING is worth thought in Race 3. The Cindy Alderson-trained galloper was an improver when stepping up from the 1400m to the 1600m at Pakenham on April 11, settling back before running on for 3rd. The son of Redwood produced some of the fastest late splits in that race to go 4.9 lengths slower than standard, which is nearly three lengths better than the next best figures of any runner. He should have improvement to come at his third run and up in trip, while he draws to save ground from barrier 1. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 5 No. 1 VERIFIER- ($2.85) 

This looks to be a winnable race for VERIFIER. The four-year-old drops down from BenchMark 70 races and hasn’t had the best of luck in a number of runs at his current campaign. The four-year-old overcame a poor start on April 6 at Caulfield in a Saturday race to produce the fastest last 400m and 200m to place 3rd over the 2000m behind Desperado, who has since finished runner-up in a BM78 at Mornington, while the 6th placegetter has come out and claimed a BM64. Verifier went 6.7 lengths faster than standard in his recent run and the step to the 2218m should only suit. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 7 No.6 RUSSIAN FRONT- ($5.50) 

RUSSIAN FRONT can bounce back in Race 7, dropping back in distance and grade after fading late when tackling the 1400m at Caulfield in a Saturday race on April 6. The Mark & Levi Kavanagh-trained galloper burnt a bit of petrol when keen that day. He was a winner over the 1300m in this grade prior to that at Bendigo. The son of Russian Revolution just needs to relax a bit better this time around and is capable of bouncing back. 

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 8 No. 1 FREEDOM ESCAPE- ($5.50) 

The final race of the day pits some promising types up against one another. Extreme Virtue is one to keep an eye on but the value lies with FREEDOM ESCAPE for mine. The Paul Preusker-trained galloper was no match for the highly impressive Liberty Escape when resuming with that horse allowed to lead and dictate before winning by five lengths. Liberty State was solid to the line, producing the second fastest last 200m and should appreciate the step up in trip. He was a winner over the 1741m here when third up at his last preparation and should have improvement to come from his first up effort.