Ferdinand Boy Set For Traralgon Cup Audition

DAVID Geall is hoping his stellar start to 2022 continues when he ventures to the opening meeting of the new Traralgon circuit on Saturday night.

Geall, a two-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer, has already prepared 10 winners from 18 starters in 2022 with another five runners running a place.

He will head to Glenview Park with a team of four runners and is confident of their chances despite not having trialled at the track previously.

TRARALGON FIELDS AND FORM

"I've heard so many good, positive reports about Traralgon," said Geall.

"I asked a lot of questions about the run to the first turn and the radius, and just felt that the dogs we're putting in should handle themselves quite well going straight into a race."

While confident his quartet will handle the unique ‘J-curve', Geall will wait to see how they handle it before committing to the Traralgon Cup heats next week.

"I'm looking forward to the new track, it's quite exciting.

"It'd be good to get a winner, and as long as they get around well, we'll bring a few back for the Traralgon Cup heats, that's the aim.

"They can all run so hopefully we can get a winner or two.

Here are David's thoughts on each of his runners.

Hill Top Jonah (race 5, number 4) – "He's pulled up well from Horsham (where he won his sixth start in a row). He's drawn box 4 but is coming out so well every time and can run very quick over 400m, so I expect him to go very well."

Ferdinand Boy (race 6, number 6) – "He's in a very tough special event, a very hot race – could be as good as the Traralgon Cup final – and he's drawn badly again. He hasn't had a red for 28 starts.

 "He had just been off a little bit but I was very happy with him (with his last start win at Warrnambool) because he showed that nice turn of foot we know he's got. He ran a 11.26 split which tells me he's not far off. But he's drawn bad and has some very fast dogs on his inside and outside so he'll need to get out quick.

Ferdinand Mick (race 8, number 5) – "I think he'll really like Traralgon, the big track should give him plenty of room to move and the 500m should be right up his alley.

 Box five is normally bad but for him boxes 5,6,7,8 aren't that bad so I expect him to go well. First look at the track won't worry me, he's a very smart that dog and he'll put himself right in the race."

King Of Glory (race 10, number 7) – "If he jumps he's a 25.10 dog at Ballarat. When he leads he wins because he is a very fast dog, but he is bit of an enigma, when he doesn't lead he doesn't always put in his best like he does when he's on the lure. He'll need to win to come back for the Cup heats."

Bets chance: Hill Top Jonah, then Fernando Mick and then, only because of the brilliant fields and awkward box, Fernand Boy.

The first race at Traralgon will jump at 6.07pm on Saturday.