It was an entertaining set of Sportsbet Geelong Cup heats at the Beckley Centre tonight, with settling on speed and avoiding congestion proving vital.

In the end it was the Grenfell duo of Paw Fabian and Paw Matic who were the fastest heat winners of the night. Paw Quinby and Eventuate were the two fastest runners-up who join the heat winners in the final.

We look ahead to next Friday’s final with a field that’s quite even with no clear separation of assets. Again, and as we saw last year with Matt Loch, finding the leader is going to be key.

Box draw below, a wrap of each heat further down.

1. Eventuate (Jason Sharp)
2. Mav Reiko (John Barbara)
3. Paw Fabian (Correy Grenfell)
4. Paw Matic (Correy Grenfell)
5. Paw Quinby (Correy Grenfell)
6. Tripped Out (Nat Presutto)
7. Brother Doom (Jason Thompson)
8. Paw Waverly (Danny Gibbons)

1st Res. Simply Stunning (Peter Presutto)
2nd Res. Paw Lovisa (Sam Grenfell)

CUP NIGHT – EVENT INFORMATION

Heat 1 – Mav Reiko (John Barbara)
The overdue inside draw had him the best bet for many, he firmed in the market late and didn’t let the punters down. As expected he settled just off the leader and then let loose from that point onward to win. Simply Stunning finished well to be runner-up.

Heat 2 – Tripped Out (Nat Presutto)
In what was an extremely busy run to the first turn he was able to hold track position and lead. He was challenged late but held on to win, backing up his last start win in the Launching Pad Runway series at Sandown Park. A good start to what could be another big weekend for the Presutto family with Off The Chart in Saturday’s Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park.

Heat 3 – Paw Waverly (Danny Gibbons)
She normally handles business by spearing to the lead then holding on, but tonight she had it all to do. Not only did she come from behind to win, but she put them away late. A different facet to Paw Waverly which enhances her x-factor in the final.

Heat 4 – Brother Doom (Jason Thompson)
James Van de Maat said pre-race that Brother Doom would have to go to another level to win, and that he did. Navigated past the early drama at the turn and quickly found himself with a race winning break. It wouldn’t be a Victorian country cup without the input of Jason Thompson.

Heat 5 – Paw Fabian (Correy Grenfell)
The key runners outside didn’t make the most of their chances which left Paw Fabian in a very positive position at the turn. His mate Paw Quinby loomed up to sneak underneath late but didn’t, but completed a Grenfell quinella led by Paw Quinby.

Heat 6 – Paw Matic (Correy Grenfell)
Age mattered for nothing in the last heat as the youngest in the race Paw Matic eliminated luck and won comfortably. Importantly she led Galento which silenced that danger, Eventuate finished well but Paw Matic had it sewn up, completing a strong finish to the night for the Grenfell’s.