Racing: Last chance to make Geelong Cup

MELBOURNE - The Geelong Cup today will be the last throw of the dice for many horses trying to get into the Melbourne Cup field.

The winner of the rich provincial race over 2400m almost certainly gains a Melbourne Cup re-handicap and a berth in the race at Flemington on November 7.

In 2002, Media Puzzle won at Geelong and went on to take out the Melbourne Cup while last year's Geelong Cup winner On A Jeune ran a slashing second to Makybe Diva.

On A Jeune is equal topweight this year with 58kg with Natural Blitz, Kiwi star Kerry O'Reilly and Land 'N Stars.

Kerry O'Reilly, who was second last start in the group one Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings, Auckland Cup winner Pentane and Wellington Cup winner Envoy add strength to the cup field from New Zealand.

Pentane has been heavily supported around Australia to win the Melbourne Cup but is now out to $31 with TAB Sportsbet.

International horse Soulacroix will not race at Geelong but Land 'N Stars could still take his place.

The English stayer finished last of the 18 runners in the Caulfield Cup and his trainer Jamie Poulton said he was considering backing him up after his soft run.

"He wouldn't have blown a candle out," Poulton said. "It was as though he hadn't had a race."

Meanwhile, Lee Freedman will launch a three-pronged attack with Professional Lady, Cefalu and Vengo in a bid to win his first Geelong Cup.

Victory would be particularly sweet for the Hall of Fame trainer with his 18-year-old daughter, Emma, being the ambassador for the A$150,000 ($171,000) group three race.

Professional Lady is coming off an unlucky third in the Cranbourne Cup while Vengo won the Benalla Cup.

Former South American Cefalu ran his best race since joining the Freedman stable when fourth to Irazu in the Bart Cummings (2530m) on October 7.

Cefalu and Vengo are both in the Melbourne Cup but either would have to win the Geelong Cup easily to gain a start.

West Australian mare Professional Lady landed the Pinjarra-Bunbury Cup double in March and is having her fourth run for Freedman.

She nearly added the Cranbourne Cup (2025m) to her 10 wins in 36 starts when on the losing end of a three-way photo finish to Blue Collar Jack and Octrivia.

Kerrin McEvoy, who has ridden two of the last three Geelong Cup winners - Zazzman (2003) and On A Jeune (2005) - replaces suspended jockey Damien Oliver on Professional Lady.

Front running tactics have often paid off at Geelong and Cefalu showed last start in the Bart Cummings that he could be hard to catch.

- AAP