Australia Day weekend at the races: Tash Faithfull looks to extend her winning ways at Geraldton Turf Club

The Australia Day weekend kicks off on Friday at the Geraldton Turf Club for its 11th meet of the season, with local favourites and Perth trainers spreading across seven blockbuster races. Race six looks to be race of the day with Perth trainer Adam Durrant making the trip up to get his weekend rolling with Mocha Dream running out of barrier four. On board on Friday is 19-year-old jockey Zephen Johnston-Porter who has ridden regularly for Durrant and will be looking to storm home in race six. In his way stands a group of local favourites — Julia Martin, Malcolm Mackenzie and Ron Cowl who feature with their stable products, but the real danger in this race is Albert Bowtell’s Stevie’s May. Stevie’s May is a proven performer on the Geraldton track and with Austin Galati on board, the five-year-old mare is one to look out for come the final turn. The day will get started with a maiden in race one. Gordon Spowart’s Fire the Guard goes in a favourite ($2.90) partnered with jockey Madi Derrick out of barrier eight. Jockey Tash Faithfull is always one to look out for in Geraldton with her recent winning record includes three straight trebles. Faithfull features in race one with Jason Miller’s Le Beau out of barrier three, and will certainly test the favourite. In another maiden in race two, Durrant’s Rockin’ Robin is the favourite at $2.70. Ashley Maley’s Keggs Later with Faithfull on board is not far behind paying $3.50. Punters have gotten behind the favourite in race three in Spowart’s Live Lucky ($1.95) ridden by Derrick. There is a bit of value in Maley’s Fuzzybox ($7.50) with Faithfull a chance for an early treble. Star pairing Bowtell and Galati feature in race four with Collective ($3.30) going head-to-head with Durrant’s Amarlie Miss ($4.50). Durrant again finds himself as favourite in race five with Bonnie Lad ($2.25) but standing in his way once more is Bowtell and Galati with Sauvegarde ($4). Up-and-coming jockey Chanel Cooper is also one to keep an eye on with Prince Ragnar. The two have featured together previously at Geraldton and are teetering on the edge of a win. Martin also features with two stable products in Bombay Style and Spirit Man. On board Spirit Man is Kristy Bennett. Martin and Bennett have proven to be a winning partnership this season at Geraldton. Wrapping up the day is race seven with Durrant sitting as favourite with Cheyne Bay ($2.70) out of a favourable barrier four. Cowl pairs up with Galati in the final race of the day on the back of Bayhara out of barrier three. Gates open midday on Friday at the Geraldton Turf Club.