Wake Up Geoff takes yet another classic in Caduceous Club victory

Three year old Wake Up Geoff (Fly Like An Eagle) showed that his last start win in the APG Classic Final was no fluke when he showed great heart to take out the Group 3 $50,000 Caduceous Club Classic at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

In Rare Air was the subject of a huge better plunge and his supporters must have been feeling confident when he was able to hold the lead from the pole. And despite his big win last week Wake Up Geoff was friendless in the betting.

The promising Amalfi Knight was able to follow up from the second row to follow the leader while Miss Leopatra who couldn’t lead early able to obtain a one out and one back trail when Wake Up Geoff went up around the field race outside In Rare Air.

Wake Up Geoff raced keenly for driver Mitchell Miller and at times was eyeballing In Rare Air for the lead.

To the surprise of many Wake Up Geoff was actually travelling better than In Rare Air and gained the upper hand at the top of the straight. Amalfi Knight was simply bolting behind the leaders but couldn’t get a clear run until about the last 50 metres.

Wake Up Geoff held on to beat the desperately unlucky Amalfi Knight by one and a half metres with In Rare Air in third place.

WAKE UP GEOFF 24 APR REPLAY

Wake Up Geoff was purchased by trainer Kim Prentice for a mere $10,000 at the APG 2024 Yearling sale and he’s proved to be a real bargain for his connections.

Trainer Kim Prentice emphasised this following his success.

“With the bonuses he’s won as well he’s won $150,000 now. He’s just a beautiful horse. He really is. He’s no trouble at home. I’m glad Mitchell drove him real confident. We did say before the only way he’s going to race into the money was to race on the outside and we didn’t know whether Justin would hand the breeze over but he now goes to the paddock. He was going to go to the paddock last week but he’ll go back to paddock and come back for the Derby.”

Whilst all credit goes to Wake Up Geoff and his courageous effort there’s little doubt that Amalfi Knight should have won the race had he got clear room. After the race Jocelyn Young on fourth placed Miss Leopatra fired in a protest against Amalfi Knight but after a lengthy hearing it was dismissed.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink