There’s a bit of smoke around an unraced three-year-old at Geelong on Wednesday, with Big Lap already $18 into $7.50 with TAB for the opening race.
The Adrian McGregor-trained son of Hanseatic is set to debut over 1125m, although he’s also entered at Moe on Thursday and Cranbourne on Friday, so it will be interesting to see where he eventually turns up.
There’s also no jockey booked for Geelong yet, which is worth keeping an eye on.
Jamie Melham has ridden Big Lap in his past three trials and jump-outs, while Ben Melham was aboard before that. Both are riding at Geelong on Wednesday and, as it stands, neither has a mount in the opener. You’d imagine one of them would be a decent chance of getting the call if he takes his place.
The market move certainly makes sense on what we’ve seen at the jump-outs.
Big Lap was given a very quiet time by Jamie in his latest hit-out at Cranbourne on August 31, settling back before making nice ground late without being asked for much at all. His previous jump-out was largely lost in the famous Cranbourne fog, but earlier pieces of work at Cranbourne and Caulfield Heath also suggested there’s a bit under the bonnet.
WATCH: Big Lap’s recent Cranbourne jump-out (green/white hoops with red sleeves, finishes fifth)
Of course, that doesn’t mean he just turns up and wins on debut. But he’s an interesting watch, particularly now the $18 has disappeared.
It’s also a good reminder with trials and jump-outs that finishing position is often the least interesting part. Horses can catch the eye running first, fifth or last. How they travel, how they move and what they have left when others are being asked for an effort can tell you plenty.
Big Lap has caught the eye without being asked to do much. It seems a few punters might have noticed the same thing.
Check out the move at TAB:
