POSITIVE CHANGES FOR GEELONG RUNNERS

Three runners for us at Geelong on Monday with Nerve Not Verve, The Boy Wonder and Hurricane Fighter all off to the races.

Nerve Not Verve (pictured) gets us started when she runs in runs in race six, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1750m, jumping from barrier three with Michael Dee in the saddle.

The daughter of Shocking was never a factor first-up when unplaced at Bendigo first-up over 1500m on September 11 however, Mike Moroney expects the low draw will make a difference today.

“She's drawn nicely which makes a big difference,” Moroney explained. “From where she is she can take up a handier position than what she did last start when she drew wide out.

“She’s improved for that run and trained on nicely. It looks an even sort of race for this class with a few chances in it.

“I’m happy with here and I’m expecting her to run a better race.”

The Boy Wonder runs in race eight, the Benchmark58 Handicap over 1435m with Jordan Childs riding from barrier two.

It is the first start for the son of Cape Blanco since finishing sixth on a heavy track at Cranbourne in April.

“I’m really happy with him - his jumpouts have been good, his work has been good and I’m anticipating he is in for a good campaign,” Moroney said.

“He’s got stronger and even though this race is going to be on the short side for him, the way he has been going at home it will not surprise me to see him run a cheeky race.

“It doesn’t look a race with a lot of depth and it’s a good starting point for him.”

Hurricane Fighter rounds out the day for us in race nine, the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1335m with James Winks aboard from barrier six in the field of 10.

The son of Savabeel disappointed first-up over 1300m at Bendigo and Moroney has made some gear changes.

“He’s struck a strong race, even with the scratchings,” Moroney said. “He disappointed me last time but we’ve added a tongue tie and a crossover nose-band to him.