Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Reg Ryan
New Zealand visitor Tutukaka has produced a strong staying effort to win the Geelong Classic

A change of headgear and a change of tactics has seen New Zealand three-year-old Tutukaka run out a strong winner of the Listed Geelong Classic.

The Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 30 is the next target for Tutukaka following his win over 2200m on Wednesday.

After a last start fifth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October, trainer Tony Pike elected to remove the blinkers from Tutukaka and reapply winkers.

And a solid pace, set by Grinzinger King, allowed Tutukaka to settle back in the field and under a patient ride from Damian Lane, chime in at the right time and race away to a comfortable win.

Sent out second favourite at $4.60, Tutukaka registered a three-quarter length win from Character ($6) with Phere The Ex ($15) a further 2-½ lengths away third.

“He led up at a strong tempo with the blinkers and he was still a bit fresh last start,” Lane said.

“But that run really brought him on.

“Credit to Tony Pike, he’s such a good trainer of these young stayers and I just thought (the pace) was perfect today.

“When Tony said that we wanted to ride him a bit quieter I knew we wanted to ride him behind the speed, but I thought it might have been the wrong day to do it.

“I didn’t think there’d be much tempo on paper and lucky for us it worked out that there was and that was always going to suit this horse, a genuinely run 2200 metres.

“He was obviously strongest late.”

Now Tutukaka must stretch out to 2500m and overcome the hoodoo of Geelong Classic winners going to the Derby.

Induna (2011) and Nozomi (2014) both went on to finish second in the Derby after winning at Geelong but are the only horses to have finished in the placings in the past 10 years.

Lane said the 2500m won’t pose a problem at Flemington.

“I think he’ll be right,” Lane said.

“He’s a tough horse who has always shown he’ll want a trip, so hopefully in 10 days’ time he’ll be right there.”

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au