Tuesday, 17 July 2012: Based on a narrow defeat at this track and trip last start, the Colin Little-trained Ferocious Fire appears poised to go one better in the opening event at Geelong today.
Ferocious Fire stepped up to the 2100m journey last start where he comfortably accounted for all bar one of his rivals at this track 18 days ago.
Now fourth up and staying at 2100m, the Colin Little-trained gelding will look to shed his maiden tag in the GRC Function And Event Centre Maiden Plate.
The Fantastic Light four-year-old finds himself in a race of minimal depth where only a couple of his opposition rate well enough to pose any logical threat.
Ferocious Fire 
has shown marked improvement in each run so far this campaign after an underwhelming fourth on resuming as one of the favourites here at Geelong over 1200m.
The gelding could have arguably claimed the first win of his career last start however did lose valuable ground (one length) at a crucial point in the race before going down to Laconic Lad by a slender margin.
It was clearly a two horse race on that occasion with the duo nine lengths clear of third placegetter Viking Tiger who also lines up in this.
Ferocious Fire was unable to obtain clear running upon straightening however did enough behind the eventual winner once clear to suggest a maiden success is imminent.
His latest effort at this track was assessed at a
Timeform figure of 69 which rates two pounds higher than any of his realistic opposition have run in their most recent outings.
Ferocious Fire showed he was capable over the distance last start while one of his main rivals in the form of Turf Prince will be looking to prove himself at the trip.
The Mick Price-trained gelding was underwhelming last start when a 3.5 length fourth at Pakenham as the odds on favourite.
His best run so far this campaign came two back at this track over 1900m where the son of O'Reilly placed.
Whilst disappointing last start, stepping up to the 2100m fourth run back from a spell should give
Turf Prince every opportunity to improve on a master Timeform figure of 70 achieved during his prior Geelong visit.
A strong case can be made for the opening event at Geelong being a two horse affair between Ferocious Fire and Turf Prince.
Turf Prince is expected to throw down the gauntlet at his first run over 2100m however Ferocious Fire should salute for the in form Colin Little stable.
Ratings and latest form suggest
Cedar Point ,
Lokelani and
Smiley O'Reilly will be the trio slogging it out for the remaining minor spot.
