Bendigo races eight times on Sunday, with the first race at 1:30pm. The track is rated a Heavy 8, so wet-track form matters, and the card is mostly maidens and lower-grade handicaps where the market can move a lot. Prices below were taken on Saturday evening and will change.
Our value play is Delicate Lady in Race 5. Karren in Race 6 looks the likeliest winner of the day, but at $1.55 there is not much in the price.
Race 1 - Solar1 Electrical Maiden Plate (1500m)
Selection: Gilgeous Current odds: $2.90
Gilgeous was only just beaten at Bendigo last start and should be fitter for it, so he is the right favourite. Certainly Quiet is the main danger. He resumes after a 21-week break, was very close at long odds at Morphettville last time and now races in a lower grade over a shorter trip. Zoucity finished strongly for fourth at Caulfield Heath and is well placed. Peace Seeker ran sixth at Echuca but comes from a smart stable, and has two placings from five runs this preparation.
Selections:
- Gilgeous - $2.90
- Certainly Quiet - $4.00
- Zoucity - $4.60
- Peace Seeker - $10.00
Race 2 - Bendigo Locksmiths 4yo & Up Maiden Plate (1300m)
Selection: Trouble’n Paradise Current odds: $6.50
Trouble’n Paradise was close to winning at Sale when fresh and then placed second-up at Donald, and she should find the front early, so she is our pick. Clux Star has placed at Bendigo before and has three placings from six runs this preparation. Brilliant Bull Ant was beaten narrowly at Ballarat and has four placings from nine runs at city level. Swift Statement was outsprinted for fourth at Kilmore and shows good tactical speed. Amarillo Sky goes up in trip after running fourth at Tatura and is a long shot at $12.00.
Selections:
- Trouble’n Paradise - $6.50
- Clux Star - $5.50
- Brilliant Bull Ant - $6.50
- Swift Statement - $11.00
Race 3 - Sheahan Plumbing 3yo Maiden Plate (1300m)
Selection: Cab Franc Current odds: $8.00
There is not much form to go on, so keep stakes small. Cab Franc is the horse both previews keep coming back to. She was going on late for fifth at Caulfield Heath, steps down to country grade and has drawn nicely, so $8.00 looks fair. Adakite was just beaten as favourite at Mornington and comes from the Shane Nichols and Hayden Black stable. Divine Eruption ran third at Warrnambool and has a race under her belt, and Volestain resumes after finishing fifth at Flemington. Zoo Dazzler was third at Caulfield Heath and cannot be ruled out at $8.00.
Selections:
- Cab Franc - $8.00
- Adakite - $5.00
- Divine Eruption - $5.00
- Volestain - $6.00
Race 4 - Eaglehawk Sales & Hire Maiden Plate (1000m)
Selection: Keen Observer Current odds: $6.50
This looks like a race between two runners. Keen Observer was beaten by about a length when third at Ballarat last start, has plenty of early speed and goes close. Semantics is the market leader at $1.65 after finishing third at Sandown, and he is the main danger, but the price is short, so we prefer Keen Observer. He’s A Dandy resumes after 35 weeks and is a decent price if he runs well. Skjaldmo is first-up after a long spell but trialled well.
Selections:
- Keen Observer - $6.50
- Semantics - $1.65
- He’s A Dandy - $9.00
- Skjaldmo - $10.00
Race 5 - Ladbrokes Tote Win +10% BM66 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Delicate Lady Current odds: $6.00
This is our best bet of the day. Delicate Lady was beaten narrowly at Bendigo last start, has a good record on a wet track, and finishes her races off with a strong burst of speed. She comes from the Jerome Hunter stable, and $6.00 is a fair price for the best-credentialled runner in a competitive race. Imperial Award is the danger. He has won both starts this preparation, the latest at Geelong, and can overcome a wide draw. Egerton backs up quickly and drops in class, and Volatile ran on well at Mornington.
Selections:
- Delicate Lady - $6.00
- Imperial Award - $8.50
- Egerton - $7.50
- Volatile - $11.00
Race 6 - Clubarham Class 1 Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Karren Current odds: $1.55
Karren missed by a narrow margin at Geelong last start and has won or placed in both runs this preparation, so he is the likeliest winner. The price is short, so he suits multis more than a single bet. Russian Choice has been scratched. Salamanca Six dropped away at Flemington but is back in an easier grade and wears blinkers for the first time. Shapenapit was beaten narrowly at Geelong, has a good draw and is having his first run for a new trainer. Too Tough ran sixth at Mornington and has the potential to improve.
Selections:
- Karren - $1.55
- Salamanca Six - $11.00
- Shapenapit - $13.00
- Too Tough - $16.00
Race 7 - Bendigo Mazda BM66 Handicap, MCC Series Heat 2 (1600m)
Selection: Kastun Star Current odds: $11.00
Kastun Star has won his last two, at Cranbourne and Mornington, and is chasing three in a row, so $11.00 looks generous. Our Justify is the market favourite at $2.40 after a good turn of foot to win here last start, though he steps up in class. Almairac drops in distance and has Ethan Brown riding. Eishaa is going for four in a row and goes well at Bendigo, while Kokonda has won twice this campaign.
Selections:
- Kastun Star - $11.00
- Our Justify - $2.40
- Almairac - $8.00
- Eishaa - $10.00
Race 8 - Bendigo Cup Packages On Sale Now BM62 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: What A Ripper Current odds: $3.80
What A Ripper has been in the money at every start this preparation, including third at Ballarat last time, and is the favourite to finish the day. Celestial Award is the main danger, first-up after 27 weeks with a good trial behind him. Regal Might was close up here last start and has a good draw. Garnacho won well at Sale and drops back in distance with early speed, and Ornos has drawn the rails and gets a weight reduction at $16.00.
Selections:
- What A Ripper - $3.80
- Celestial Award - $5.00
- Regal Might - $9.00
- Garnacho - $12.00
