Racing: Confident hoop speaks his mind

Forgotten Voice spent a season jumping hurdles, winning three times and finishing close up at his other two starts over jumps. Photo / Thinkstock

It required only two emphatic words for jockey Brett Prebble to sum up the prospects of Geelong Cup favourite Forgotten Voice: "He'll win."

Prebble will be in the saddle today when Forgotten Voice will attempt to maintain the domination European stayers have in a race that has become the best Melbourne Cup guide in Australian racing.

The 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain and the 2011 champion Dunaden won the Geelong Cup on the way to Flemington, Media Puzzle did the double in 2002 and Bauer finished a close second after winning at Geelong in 2008.

Forgotten Voice goes to the premier event on the provincial calendar with better form than any of the internationals who have gone there before him. A winner at his last start of the group three Glorious Stakes (2400m) at Goodwood and before that the listed Wolferton Handicap (2000m) at Royal Ascot, Forgotten Voice is a classy runner.

He also has the added advantage of being a proven rough-and-tumble type who won't mind being removed from the gentrified atmosphere of English racing.

As well as his outstanding flat form, Forgotten Voice spent a season jumping hurdles, winning three times and finishing close up at his other two starts over jumps.

He has shown that he has brought his form with him to Melbourne.

"He worked with Dandino here the other day and on what he did he would have been right in the Caulfield Cup," Prebble said.

Forgotten Voice was an acceptor for Saturday's race but was voted out by the Melbourne Racing Club Committee.

"I wish he got in the Caulfield Cup," Prebble said. "If he got in that race and drew a gate who knows? He definitely deserved a place in that race."

Dandino's slashing second in the Caulfield Cup confirmed Forgotten Voice's form, a point that hasn't been overlooked by punters.

Sportingbet Australia spokesman Michael Felgate said punters took the opening Geelong Cup quote of $3.60 on Monday and backed Forgotten Voice in to $2.80 in the first hour of betting.

Last night he was the $2.50 favourite ahead of Ibicenco ($6), Verdant ($6.50) and Tanby ($9). Next best is the consistent Crafty Cruiser ($10).

- AAP