Midweek races: Weather looking good as Australia Day celebrations begin at Geraldton Turf Club on Thursday

With excitement building about the Australia Day long weekend, the action will begin early at the Geraldton Turf Club with midweek racing on Thursday.

With a reduced number of meetings during the summer period, the weather is forecast to be sunny with a maximum of 30C on Thursday, staying calm before it heats up on the weekend.

The first race is a maiden set to start at 2.10pm, with local horse Holy Spy set to be a hot contender in the run.

Willie Parker’s horse has placed top three in each of his past four runs at Geraldton and looks a main chance for the race.

Viking Forever also looks in position for a good run in the first, having a strong finish in the last meet at Geraldton grabbing second place.

Race two is another maiden run with a big field of 15 horses and no clear favourite, but Bali Belly and Stay Astern look to be contenders.

The third race features a small field with eight runners and appears a competitive run.

The top contenders for the race are three locals — Be Seated, Mystic Love and the one which looks to be the best runner at Geraldton, Spirit Man from Julia Martin.

Races four and five are both longer runs at 1600m, as Allaboutthecraic seems to be the tipping favourite in the fourth with eight runners.

While race five has a number of horses familiar with the Geraldton track. Rhona Macphilomey’s Yes Miss Jane could be a chance despite having a poor run at the last meet.

Graham Cox’s Devil Girl and Graeme Hammarquist’s Townsville are also ones to consider.

In race six local horse Corn Cob returns for his first race in Geraldton in a year, with the gelding spending 2023 racing at Ascot.

In the final race, Tycoon Demon has been a strong runner, finishing with a place or win in each of his first four runs and looked a good chance during the last meet before being scratched.

The gates will be open from noon with free entry to the turf club.