Grey Lion at top of Geelong Cup Betting

French import Grey Lion has been posted at the top of the betting for the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on Wednesday.

Grey Lion, above, has been installed the early favourite for the Geelong Cup at Geelong. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Grey Lion, above, has been installed the early favourite for the Geelong Cup at Geelong. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

New trainer Matt Cumani has delivered a glowing report about Grey Lion who will be having his first start in Australia after being prepared in Europe by leading French trainer Andrea Fabre and the grey five year old has been installed the $3.60 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au.

“He couldn’t be going any better, he has travelled really well, he is putting on weight, he is fit, he is happy,” Cumani told racing.com.

“Katelyn (Mallyon) thought he was in great form, there is nothing more we can do. I think he is in great shape.

“What we don’t know is if this is what he was like going in to his last race in France, where he didn’t finish his race off, or whether he has grown a leg here in Australia.”

Grey Lion is a winner of four races in France with his latest victory being over 2500m at Deauville in March and was sent to Australian to be prepared by Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani after running eighth of eight in the Group 2 €130,000 Darley Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deavulle on August 21.

Katelyn Mallyon takes the ride on Grey Lion who has drawn barrier nine in the field that has been reduced to ten runners following the early scratching of the Chris Waller trained Who Shot Thebarman.

Waller will still have a runner in the Geelong Cup with English import Kinema who will be having his first start for the leading Sydney trainer and Cumani rates him as one of the top chances.

“I think it is not going to be as easy as people are saying this division is, particularly one of the quiet horses is Kinema for Chris Waller,” Cumani said.

“I think he has got great form going in to this and I think he is undervalued, he is definitely a worry.”

Kinema is on the third line of betting at $4.60 sandwiched in between the two Charlie Appleby trained Godolphin horses, Oceanographer at $4.40 and Qewy at $6.

Market order for the Geelong Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Grey Lion, $4.40 Oceanographer, $4.60 Kinema, $6 Qewy, $8.50 Black Tomahawk, $12 Arab Dawn, Lucques, $26 Swacadelic, $34 Alll I Survey, $81 Wells.

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.