Handy galloper Mycolada will appreciate returning to firmer footing in today's Centrebet Don't Just Watch It Handicap (race 8) at Geelong.
The big 10 race card on the “good” rated synthetic track at Geelong is ideal for the Allan Peterson–trained gelding, and after two runs from a spell looks well placed at the 2000m journey.
The seven-year-old is yet to win a race for his new stable after transferring from Colin Little following a long spell.
But he did run some good races.
Four starts ago he tackled the Naracoorte Cup over this journey and after settling off the speed run on well for a length fourth.
He then raced in tougher grade over 2400m at Bendigo and went well below his best, heading out for another break.
He resumed over 1700m at Warrnambool on slow ground with 59kg and after settling off the speed battled away to finish seventh.
Given the circumstances it was a solid run.
He then dropped back to a mile at Ararat where he again had a big weight and showed good speed to sit second before fading late to finish sixth in the heavy ground.
The gelding will strip far fitter again, he drops in weight and looks suited by the longer journey.
But the return to firm footing is the big plus.
He has won three of his four career starts on top of the ground including one here over 2000m – his only run at the track – where he overcome trouble and ran on well to score.
With the two runs under his belt Mycolada is ready for the longer trip and gets his chance to break through.
The Gary Aldridge-trained Ready Zuca was an effortless winner here last time and looks the biggest danger.
The gelding stepped up to 2200m here two back and ran on well to finish runner-up, before dropping back to 1900m in an RB62 and coming from last before careering away with a 5.5 length win.
He rises in grade today to this RB72 but drops in weight and will enjoy a good run off the speed from an inside gate.
Both runs here have been excellent and if he repeats that form looks a strong chance again.
Van Halo has also run well at his last two here and will appreciate the weight drop.
Two back he got back in the field over 2000m but ran on well to finish a close-up fourth behind Savaging.
He meets that galloper two kilos better for the three-quarter length defeat.
Last start, over 2000m here, he again got home well when a 1.5 length second behind Constant Force.
He drops in the weights this time and should be parked just off the speed throughout.
Savaging is a chance again after winning here last time but has the big weight and a wide gate to content with, while Card Sharp is fitter and rates well but again has to overcome a wide draw and the 59kg.
