Geelong (G) Race 4

Petrel Hotel Sc

Stake: $3,629

BETTER BANJO (4) won again in an impressive display after leading making it five on end, scoring at Warrnambool over 390m (21.93). Expected to go well again. STOJANOVIC (6) boasts a strong record this journey here with four wins and three minors from 10 tries. Hit the frame latest (23.74) when third at Horsham in a Free For All. Can hit the frame with the right run. TALK IS CHEAP (2) has a strong record this trip with nine wins and three placings from 15 starts. Hit the frame latest (16.80) when third at Healesville in a Free For All. Looks one of the chances. PAW TIKA (1) is not to be discarded.

Distance: 400m
Class: Mixed 3/4
Track: Good
Weather: OVERCAST
Surface: All Weather

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Paw Tika (1) 4346566586
Trainer: Samantha Grenfell (Anakie)
Prize Money: $58,342
Win / Place: 16% / 37%

2 yo Black B

Sire: FERNANDO BALE (AUS)

Dam: HELMA BALE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

72: 12-7-8

Track

12: 2-2-3

Trk/Dst

6: 1-2-2

Distance

9: 1-3-2

Season

58: 8-5-5

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
3	3	6	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	7	14	12	13	7	4	6	9
1st	1	5	2	2	1	0	0	1
2nd	1	1	2	2	0	1	0	0
3rd	0	0	2	2	0	1	1	2

Comments

Latest effort finished 6th on July 22 over 410m at Horsham behind Nosey Parker beaten 5.5 lengths (23.89) in a Free For All. Didn't have the best of it last start and can bounce back.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
6th of 8	22/7/25	Horsham	410m	4	0:23.89	61.8 km/h	5.3L	$10	0:23.52	0:23.31	FFA	$3,629	-	5	1. Nosey Parker 2. Gas Lantern 3. Stojanovic
8th of 8	17/7/25	Sandown	515m	8	0:30.44	60.9 km/h	11.0L	$9.00	0:29.70	0:29.07	GR 5	$9,493	-	6	1. My Name's Evelyn 2. Dewana Scotch 3. Paw Gregson
5th of 7	11/7/25	Bendigo	425m	3	0:24.13	63.4 km/h	2.8L	$11	0:23.93	0:23.86	MX 3/4	$3,629	-	7	1. Higher Force 2. Doongalla Nomes 3. Qilin Bale
6th of 6	4/7/25	Warragul	400m	2	0:23.16	62.2 km/h	7.0L	$14	0:22.69	0:22.69	GR 4/5	$3,629	-	8	1. Hard Style Leon 2. No Restrictions 3. Bushman's Archie
6th of 6	26/6/25	Sandown	515m	2	0:30.09	61.6 km/h	6.1L	$9.00	0:29.67	0:29.36	GR 5	$9,493	-	5	1. All Jazz 2. Make Me King 3. Flying Dinar
5th of 8	21/6/25	The Meadows	525m	4	0:30.57	61.8 km/h	6.2L	$19	0:30.13	0:30.01	GR 4/5	$9,785	-	5	1. Xeni Bale 2. Doongalla Jessie 3. Paw Quinby

Talk Is Cheap (2) 4112117153
Trainer: Angela Galea (Sunshine North)
Prize Money: $27,632
Win / Place: 55% / 80%

2 yo Black D

Sire: FERAL FRANKY (AUS)

Dam: IT'S ALL TALK (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

20: 11-4-1

Track

2: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 1-1-0

Distance

4: 2-1-0

Season

20: 11-4-1

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
7	4	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	3	1	4	1	3	5	2	1
1st	2	0	2	1	1	4	1	0
2nd	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	0
3rd	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Comments

Finished in the minors last time in a Free For All at Healesville when a 1.5 lengths third but did run a decent 16.80 over the 300m journey. Rates on top here on the time from last run.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 6	6/7/25	Healesville	300m	8	0:16.80	64.3 km/h	1.5L	$2.00	0:16.71	0:16.69	FFA	$3,629	$373	19	1. Sun In Cuba 2. Posh Paws 3. Talk Is Cheap
5th of 8	17/6/25	Warragul	460m	1	0:26.29	63.0 km/h	3.5L	$2.40	0:26.06	0:25.78	GR 5 H	$3,164	-	10	1. Dr. Reese 2. Once More 3. Brindle Surprise
1st of 8	7/6/25	Geelong	400m	3	0:22.47	64.1 km/h	4.9L	$2.20	0:22.47	0:22.47	GR 5	$3,164	$2,106	19	1. Talk Is Cheap 2. Spring Brumby 3. Zero Killer
7th of 7	19/5/25	Shepparton	450m	3	0:26.45	61.2 km/h	21.3L	$8.00	0:25.03	0:25.03	MX 3/4	$3,629	-	7	1. Packham Prince 2. Tarawi Therese 3. Silky Sauce
1st of 8	12/5/25	Shepparton	450m	4	0:25.34	63.9 km/h	1.3L	$2.40	0:25.34	0:25.08	GR 4/5	$3,629	$2,430	6	1. Talk Is Cheap 2. Urana Panda 3. Aussie Supreme
1st of 8	6/5/25	Warragul	400m	6	0:22.48	64.1 km/h	2.4L	$2.10	0:22.48	0:22.48	GR 4/5	$3,629	$2,430	9	1. Talk Is Cheap 2. Dewana Scotch 3. Thorkildsen

Michalis (3) 6714186x82
Trainer: Brendan Pursell (Lara)
Prize Money: $37,454
Win / Place: 30% / 50%

Track Specialist

3 yo Black D

Sire: BARCIA BALE (AUS)

Dam: SWEET AS EMM (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

26: 8-3-2

Track

5: 3-0-0

Trk/Dst

3: 2-0-0

Distance

3: 2-0-0

Season

13: 3-1-1

1st Up

3: 2-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	3	5	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	2	4	7	4	2	4	1	2
1st	1	1	2	0	1	2	1	0
2nd	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	0
3rd	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1

Comments

Finished second last start (30.48) over 525m at The Meadows. Drawn close to the inside. Looking to others.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
2nd of 6	11/6/25	The Meadows	525m	4	0:30.48	62.0 km/h	3.9L	$4.00	0:30.20	0:30.15	MX 3/4	$4,190	$864	4	1. Fled The Scene 2. Michalis 3. Qilin Bale
8th of 8	7/6/25	The Meadows	525m	2	0:30.86	61.2 km/h	13.5L	$13	0:29.91	0:29.91	GR 5	$9,493	-	168	1. Werris Bale 2. Where's Poppy 3. Spring Miles
168 Day Spell
6th of 8	21/12/24	The Meadows	525m	5	0:30.44	62.1 km/h	7.5L	$15	0:29.94	0:29.62	GR 4/5	$9,785	-	7	1. Iconic Jet 2. Warm Cockles 3. Honey Zen
8th of 8	14/12/24	The Meadows	525m	6	0:30.76	61.4 km/h	8.1L	$14	0:30.19	0:29.70	GR 4/5	$9,785	-	7	1. Paw Earnest 2. Read The Room 3. Succeed
1st of 8	7/12/24	The Meadows	525m	1	0:30.12	62.7 km/h	3.5L	$1.70f	0:30.12	0:29.59	GR 5	$9,493	$6,372	8	1. Michalis 2. Camp Fire 3. Qilin Bale
4th of 8	29/11/24	The Meadows	525m	1	0:30.37	62.2 km/h	6.0L	$2.20f	0:29.95	0:29.55	GR 5	$9,493	$162	9	1. Paw Utility 2. Vista Yttrium 3. Go For Gold

Better Banjo (4) 4512211111
Trainer: Manuel Valcarcel-Fuentes (Moe South)
Prize Money: $81,540
Win / Place: 32% / 73%

Picket Fence

3 yo White/Black D

Sire: FERNANDO BALE (AUS)

Dam: BRING YOUR BANJO (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

71: 23-19-10

Track

2: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 1-1-0

Distance

19: 3-8-2

Season

40: 15-11-8

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
16	7	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	9	13	11	7	6	6	9	10
1st	4	3	4	2	3	2	1	4
2nd	3	3	0	1	2	3	5	2
3rd	1	2	2	1	1	0	0	3

Comments

Has been racing extremely well, putting five wins back-to-back. Last start won easily by 3.5 lengths at Warrnambool (21.93) beating Bring Your Best in a Mix 3/4 on July 17. In sparkling form and can win again.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 8	17/7/25	Warrnambool	390m	3	0:21.93	64.0 km/h	3.5L	$1.70	0:21.93	0:21.93	MX 3/4	$3,629	$2,430	6	1. Better Banjo 2. Bring Your Best 3. Bourne Supremacy
1st of 7	11/7/25	Geelong	400m	8	0:22.59	63.7 km/h	0.4L	$1.60	0:22.59	0:22.26	GR 4/5	$3,629	$2,430	8	1. Better Banjo 2. Come And See 3. Nova Owen
1st of 8	3/7/25	Warrnambool	390m	8	0:21.93	64.0 km/h	3.8L	$2.80	0:21.93	0:21.88	MX 3/4	$3,629	$2,430	8	1. Better Banjo 2. Tommy Tequila 3. Mischief Mate
1st of 7	25/6/25	Ballarat	390m	2	0:22.39	62.7 km/h	4.3L	$1.50	0:22.39	0:22.23	GR 5	$3,164	$2,106	6	1. Better Banjo 2. Play Lab 3. Frog March
1st of 8	19/6/25	Warrnambool	390m	1	0:21.88	64.2 km/h	3.8L	$1.50	0:21.88	0:21.88	GR 5	$3,164	$2,106	6	1. Better Banjo 2. Interstate Girl 3. Got The Cash
2nd of 8	13/6/25	Geelong	400m	1	0:22.63	63.6 km/h	1.3L	$8.00	0:22.55	0:22.22	Group Listed	$80,460	$15,120	7	1. Sharapova Star 2. Better Banjo 3. Queen Avenger

No Bad Deed (5) 4661514243
Trainer: Wendy Saathoff (Toolern Vale)
Prize Money: $16,292
Win / Place: 24% / 48%

2 yo FWN D

Sire: FERAL FRANKY (AUS)

Dam: NO GOOD DEED (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

25: 6-4-2

Track

5: 1-1-1

Trk/Dst

5: 1-1-1

Distance

5: 1-1-1

Season

25: 6-4-2

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
4	2	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	3	2	4	5	1	2	2	6
1st	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	2
2nd	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	2
3rd	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0

Comments

Finished third last time (22.67) over 400m at this track. Will need a little luck early from the draw. Others preferred.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 6	12/7/25	Geelong	400m	3	0:22.67	63.5 km/h	6.7L	$7.50	0:22.20	0:22.20	GR 4/5	$3,629	$373	29	1. Dusty McGraw 2. Aston Caper 3. No Bad Deed
4th of 7	13/6/25	Bendigo	425m	2	0:24.20	63.2 km/h	5.5L	$13	0:23.83	0:23.78	GR 4/5	$3,629	$81	6	1. Kurnai Bolt 2. Tension Head 3. Gunai Nugget
2nd of 7	7/6/25	Geelong	400m	4	0:22.81	63.1 km/h	3.0L	$6.50	0:22.60	0:22.47	MX 3/4	$3,629	$745	10	1. Tornado Tahlia 2. No Bad Deed 3. Butterflies Lad
4th of 8	28/5/25	Warrnambool	390m	8	0:22.38	62.7 km/h	6.5L	$2.70	0:21.95	0:21.88	GR 5 H	$3,164	$81	19	1. Desired 2. Aston Elena 3. Out Of Elite
1st of 8	9/5/25	Bendigo	425m	4	0:24.33	62.9 km/h	2.5L	$2.70	0:24.33	0:23.81	GR 5	$3,164	$2,106	8	1. No Bad Deed 2. Paw Usami 3. More Beer Please
5th of 8	1/5/25	Ballarat	390m	8	0:22.39	62.7 km/h	3.4L	$2.20	0:22.15	0:22.15	GR 4/5	$3,629	-	8	1. Go For Gold 2. Valletta Dash 3. Uncle Dave

Stojanovic (6) 3112814343
Trainer: Chloe Dew (Anakie)
Prize Money: $31,655
Win / Place: 30% / 61%

Box Specialist

2 yo Black D

Sire: AUSSIE SECRET (AUS)

Dam: DYNA SARAH (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

39: 12-6-6

Track

10: 4-2-1

Trk/Dst

10: 4-2-1

Distance

12: 4-3-1

Season

36: 11-6-6

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
5	7	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	3	3	5	8	2	6	5	7
1st	1	1	0	4	1	3	0	2
2nd	1	1	0	1	0	0	1	2
3rd	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	3

Comments

Flew the lids with a quick early split but had to settle for the minor money when third (23.74) over 410m at Horsham. Rates highly on best form. Expected to feature.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 8	22/7/25	Horsham	410m	6	0:23.74	62.2 km/h	3.1L	$3.30	0:23.52	0:23.31	FFA	$3,629	$373	5	1. Nosey Parker 2. Gas Lantern 3. Stojanovic
4th of 8	17/7/25	Warrnambool	390m	1	0:22.34	62.8 km/h	6.3L	$2.70	0:21.93	0:21.93	MX 3/4	$3,629	$81	13	1. Better Banjo 2. Bring Your Best 3. Bourne Supremacy
3rd of 8	4/7/25	Geelong	400m	8	0:22.80	63.2 km/h	1.0L	$3.30	0:22.75	0:22.49	FFA	$3,629	$373	10	1. Mepunga Rocky 2. Tanner Bale 3. Stojanovic
4th of 7	24/6/25	Horsham	410m	6	0:23.58	62.6 km/h	3.3L	$5.50	0:23.35	0:23.28	MX 3/4	$3,629	$81	13	1. Paw Tonk 2. Tanner Bale 3. Lady Julia
1st of 6	11/6/25	Ballarat	390m	4	0:21.93	64.0 km/h	0.8L	$5.00	0:21.93	0:21.87	FFA	$3,629	$2,430	6	1. Stojanovic 2. Let's Win Ollie 3. Gas Lantern
8th of 8	5/6/25	Ballarat	390m	5	0:22.75	61.7 km/h	11.8L	$5.50	0:21.92	0:21.70	SPEC H	$3,629	-	9	1. Needful 2. Queen Avenger 3. Fernando Duke

Man Of Courage (7) 5536528226
Trainer: Shaun Coulson (Balliang)
Prize Money: $43,621
Win / Place: 17% / 59%

3 yo BDL D

Sire: FERNANDO BALE (AUS)

Dam: SMOKIN' CINDY (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

76: 13-20-12

Track

22: 3-8-4

Trk/Dst

22: 3-8-4

Distance

28: 4-9-5

Season

40: 6-12-7

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
6	7	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	5	8	12	10	13	7	8	13
1st	0	3	0	2	1	1	3	3
2nd	1	2	4	1	6	0	4	2
3rd	1	0	2	4	2	1	0	2

Comments

Could only manage sixth last time but placed two on end prior to that, the latest when second (22.76) over 390m at Shepparton. Has a solid record from out wide but will need the breaks to go his way.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
6th of 7	11/7/25	Geelong	400m	2	0:22.86	63.0 km/h	3.9L	$23	0:22.59	0:22.26	GR 4/5	$3,629	-	4	1. Better Banjo 2. Come And See 3. Nova Owen
2nd of 8	7/7/25	Shepparton	390m	7	0:22.76	61.7 km/h	0.7L	$3.80	0:22.71	0:22.03	GR 5	$3,164	$648	8	1. Kraken Cool 2. Man Of Courage 3. Miss Melee
2nd of 8	29/6/25	Sale	435m	1	0:24.83	63.1 km/h	0.6L	$6.50	0:24.79	0:24.36	GR 5	$3,164	$648	33	1. Once More 2. Man Of Courage 3. Darnum Rain
33 Day Freshen-Up
8th of 8	27/5/25	Horsham	410m	3	0:24.11	61.2 km/h	11.8L	$27	0:23.34	0:23.25	MX 3/4	$3,629	-	8	1. Touch Of Sin 2. Stojanovic 3. Nosey Parker
2nd of 8	19/5/25	Shepparton	390m	5	0:22.29	63.0 km/h	3.3L	$4.80	0:22.08	0:21.77	GR 5	$3,164	$648	28	1. Kentucky Gus 2. Man Of Courage 3. No Words
5th of 7	21/4/25	Shepparton	390m	6	0:23.21	60.5 km/h	14.5L	$5.50	0:22.25	0:21.82	GR 5	$3,164	-	7	1. Amron Bobby 2. Causing Rubble 3. Xisan Bale

Verdi (8) 1152111x1x
Trainer: Jason Thompson (Pearcedale)
Prize Money: $59,492
Win / Place: 59% / 75%

Track Specialist

Unbeaten at the Distance

Unbeaten The Track / Distance

3 yo Black D

Sire: BERNARDO (AUS)

Dam: FREDA ROCKS (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

32: 19-5-0

Track

5: 4-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 2-0-0

Distance

5: 5-0-0

Season

10: 8-1-0

1st Up

4: 3-1-0

2nd Up

3: 2-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
1	17	1	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	2	7	1	1	5	2	8	6
1st	1	5	0	0	3	1	4	5
2nd	1	1	0	0	0	1	2	0
3rd	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Comments

Finished off last campaign with a win (24.91) over 450m at Grafton three-and-a-half months ago. Good beginner but wide draw and prefer the place.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 8	20/4/25	Grafton	450m	8	0:24.91	65.0 km/h	3.5L	$1.50	0:24.91	0:24.91	NG	$7,225	$4,860	105	1. Verdi 2. Go Bears 3. Recycled
105 Day Spell
1st of 4	5/1/25	Grafton	450m	2	0:25.00	64.8 km/h	9.0L	$1.10	0:25.00	0:25.00	NG	$3,704	$2,349	6	1. Verdi 2. Nitro Slim 3. Whispering Jack
1st of 6	30/12/24	Maitland	400m	2	0:22.11	65.1 km/h	3.8L	$1.40f	0:22.11	0:22.11	NG	$2,840	$1,809	14	1. Verdi 2. Four Barrys 3. Precious Boy
1st of 5	16/12/24	Maitland	400m	2	0:21.95	65.6 km/h	5.8L	$1.24f	0:21.95	0:21.95	GR 3/4	$2,840	$1,809	18	1. Verdi 2. Disorderly 3. Diver's Daughter
2nd of 8	28/11/24	Maitland	450m	7	0:25.39	63.8 km/h	3.0L	$2.15f	0:25.17	0:24.89	NG	$6,026	$1,080	22	1. Cool Junior 2. Verdi 3. Big Rush
5th of 7	6/11/24	Ballarat	450m	5	0:25.59	63.3 km/h	3.2L	$2.30f	0:25.36	0:25.30	GR 4/5	$3,629	-	7	1. Fernando Phil 2. Zipping Hopkins 3. Amron Tiger

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years