Bendigo runs twelve races on Friday night, starting at 6:57pm. The feature is the Group 2 Bendigo Cup Final over 425m, worth $50,000 to the winner. The card also includes the Battlers Cup Final, the Jarrod Larkin Spring Cup Final over 660m, and two Great Chase heats over 500m. Most races are over 425m, where early speed matters a lot.
Our pick in the Cup is Impetuously. House Of Sins in Race 8 is the strongest favourite on the card and our most confident bet of the night, but he is only $1.80.
Race 1 - Great Chase Heat 11 (500m)
Selection: Azzurro (8) Current odds: $2.50
Azzurro has already run a fast 27.86 at this track, and the wide draw should give her room to use her speed early. Word Gets Around is unbeaten in two wins at Horsham and is the main danger, but he needs a clean start. Two boxes are empty, so there should be less early interference than usual.
Selections:
- Azzurro (8) - $2.50
- Word Gets Around (4) - $2.20
- Mr. Jones (2) - $10.00
- Blackberry Juice (1) - $8.00
Race 2 - Great Chase Heat 12 (500m)
Selection: Star Note (5) Current odds: $2.20
Star Note improved sharply to win at The Meadows in a fast 29.66. If he begins on terms, he is the best dog here. Surge has won her last two races easily and has early speed from box seven, so she is the clear danger. Kraken Ginger keeps improving and could be value for a place.
Selections:
- Star Note (5) - $2.20
- Surge (7) - $3.00
- Kraken Ginger (2) - $7.50
- Georgie Sunshine (4) - $6.00
Race 3 - Grade 5 (425m)
Selection: Divot (3) Current odds: $3.20
Divot is very fast out of the boxes and, from box three, should open a break by the turn. Lady Gunai has a 23.88 personal best at this track and runs strongly through the middle stage of the race, so she is the main danger. Slick Ability has the rails box and trialled well here recently.
Selections:
- Divot (3) - $3.20
- Lady Gunai (8) - $3.60
- Slick Ability (1) - $5.00
- Paw Cornelius (2) - $10.00
Race 4 - Battlers Cup Consolation (425m)
Selection: Sweet Millie (2) Current odds: $3.40
Sweet Millie usually begins well, has a good record at this track and is our pick. She’s Salty led for a long way here last time and will be close to the lead from box one. Raven Force and Valletta Moon are the next best.
Selections:
- Sweet Millie (2) - $3.40
- She’s Salty (1) - $6.00
- Raven Force (7) - $8.00
- Valletta Moon (3) - $7.50
Race 5 - Battlers Cup Final (425m)
Selection: Blowing Trumpets (2) Current odds: $3.60
Blowing Trumpets finished strongly to win his heat and should get a good run from box two. Brindle Mosaic won her heat in a fast 23.90 and has the rails box, so she could lead for a long way. There is little between them in the market. In A Bit has a good record here and handles a wide box.
Selections:
- Blowing Trumpets (2) - $3.60
- Brindle Mosaic (1) - $3.40
- In A Bit (8) - $5.00
- Whisky Point (4) - $9.00
Race 6 - Mixed 4/5 (500m)
Selection: Happy And Numb (2) Current odds: $4.80
Happy And Numb has been racing with plenty of confidence and is strong in the middle of the race, which suits 500m. He is the value in a close market. Mepunga Lilly ran a fast 27.25 to win at Horsham and has box one, and Gold Tag is the class dog in the field but needs luck early.
Selections:
- Happy And Numb (2) - $4.80
- Gold Tag (5) - $3.50
- Mepunga Lilly (1) - $3.60
- Neo Devere (7) - $7.00
Race 7 - Mixed 4/5 (425m)
Selection: Electrojet (7) Current odds: $3.60
Electrojet has run a fast 23.78 at this track and box seven should give him room early. Aston National is promising but box four makes it harder for him. Paw Palmer ran well last time, and Deadly Force was impressive at Shepparton.
Selections:
- Electrojet (7) - $3.60
- Paw Palmer (3) - $4.60
- Aston National (4) - $4.00
- Deadly Force (5) - $6.00
Race 8 - Spring Cup Final (660m)
Selection: House Of Sins (5) Current odds: $1.80
House Of Sins has won his last five starts and runs very fast early sections for a staying dog. If he gets to the front, he should be very hard to run down over 660m. This is the strongest bet on the card, but $1.80 suits a multi better than a straight win bet. Shade Of Pale ran well behind him last week and should finish second again. Ascend Geranium can show early speed.
Selections:
- House Of Sins (5) - $1.80
- Shade Of Pale (3) - $6.00
- Ascend Geranium (8) - $10.00
- Paw Quinby (1) - $10.00
Race 9 - Bendigo Cup Final (425m)
Selection: Impetuously (4) Current odds: $3.50
Impetuously was very fast early when she won her heat in 23.52, the standout heat run. If she begins on terms again, she should lead and be hard to catch. It is a strong final. Cumulate, from the same John Barbara kennel, is improving quickly and will be close to the speed from box three. Matt Loch has won 39 of his 74 starts and is still good enough to win from the rails box if he begins well. Askern Violet is unbeaten since moving to Victoria and is the each-way roughie. Two reserves, Here Comes Billy and Mother Georgia, could still get a run, so check the final field.
Selections:
- Impetuously (4) - $3.50
- Cumulate (3) - $4.60
- Matt Loch (1) - $4.00
- Askern Violet (5) - $10.00
Race 10 - Grade 5 (425m)
Selection: It’s Bubble Time (1) Current odds: $2.80
It’s Bubble Time found his form again here last time, comes back to a distance that suits him and has the rails box. Oklahoma Bale has a 23.67 personal best at this track and can lead or come from behind, so he is the main danger.
Selections:
- It’s Bubble Time (1) - $2.80
- Oklahoma Bale (4) - $4.60
- Gray Grouper (5) - $4.20
- Paw Jasta (6) - $10.00
Race 11 - Grade 5 (425m)
Selection: Fendi Express (1) Current odds: $2.80
Fendi Express arrives with good Queensland form and has box one, so he can lead from start to finish. Paw Xyla is regaining confidence and should follow him through early. Hartland Bonnie has a good record here.
Selections:
- Fendi Express (1) - $2.80
- Paw Xyla (2) - $7.00
- Hartland Bonnie (5) - $8.00
- Trenton’s Empire (8) - $10.00
Race 12 - Grade 5 (425m)
Selection: Paw Ortiz (6) Current odds: $3.60
Paw Ortiz is the class dog in the field and has the speed to cross and lead from box six. Weaponry is the favourite and has a strong record here, but she is resuming, so we will take the slightly better price. Paw Tiffy ran well last time and can place.
Selections:
- Paw Ortiz (6) - $3.60
- Weaponry (1) - $2.80
- Paw Tiffy (8) - $6.00
- Hartland Buddy (3) - $8.00
