Boody hopes Geiger shows family traits in Rocky

By Pat McLeod

Patient Central Queensland trainer Ken Boody is hopeful youngster Geiger can replicate some of his siblings’ race traits in the Rockhampton Maiden 1000 Final (407m) on Wednesday night.

The Sh Avatar x She's Some Gal chaser showed some of those signs with a convincing win in the heat last week.

“Yes, I thought Geiger’s run in the heat last week was very much improved,” Boody said.

“He has taken a little bit of time to adapt to a field.

“In his first couple of starts he found a lot of trouble, just not jumping cleanly and then in trouble.

“I took him away to Bundaberg for a change of scenery a couple of weeks ago to see if that would help because he seemed to be easing up when surrounded by other dogs.

“I just wanted to take his mind off the Rockhampton track.

“He did well at Bundy, running second there in a time (26.72secs over 460m) that would win him that race 49 times out of 50.

“Ironically, if he had won he would not have been eligible for this Maiden 1000. So, I guess it was a blessing in disguise.”

Geiger is out of a hot litter that includes the very well performed, Jedda Cutlack-owned and trained, Duffman.

In fact, Duffman, already with $134,350 in his prize money kitty, has won through to the $45,000 Ipswich Young Guns Final this Saturday.

Boody has adopted a ‘wait and see’ approach as to whether Geiger, who has had just five starts for a win and two placings, can reach those heights.

“Geiger’s start to racing has been delayed a little because of a toe injury,” he said.

“He was unraced and very inexperienced when he came up to our kennel, but he's improving now all the time.

“I am not sure if he is up to the same class as Duffman, but we will see what happens with more experience.

“Sometimes dogs can really jump out of the ground when they gain a bit of confidence.”

Boody has a big opinion of Spot On Fred (Box 5), trained by Dallas Beckett, who won last week’s other heat.

“I think the biggest danger is probably Spot On Fred,” he said.

“He can certainly run, but just needs to apply himself a little better.

“I have seen him trial and he has genuine speed.

“But mainly I will be interested to see how Geiger (Box 2) is progressing. This race will be a good test for him.”

Boody also has Showtime Pete (11 starts for three placings) in the final. He ran third to Spot On Fred, but inside a length from the leader with Abode’s Trilogy (Michael Boody) third.