Bendigo - Race 1 5:01pm
No. 3 Eureka Jo
A member of the ever dominant Emma Stewart camp, this filly strikes what is most definitely a winnable race this evening to start proceedings.
Returning to Victoria after a recent NSW sojourn at Bathurst to tackle the Gold Bracelet series, this filly has had a solid tick-over trial at Melton between runs to ensure her fitness is up to scratch. In the final of the aforementioned Gold Bracelet final, this horse finished only ten metres in arrears of Soho Honey Rider after having limited luck.
Drawn three over the short course here at Bendigo, it is likely Kate Gath will try to make use of this fillies good early natural speed to lead here, which will position her clearly ahead of key danger and stablemate Perpetuity in the run and our selections.
Bendigo - Race 2 5:32pm
No. 7 War Dan Buddy
Another three year old runner that hails from Emma Stewart’s camp, this gelding profiles similarly to our first selection and looks primed to achieve the ideal result.
Just as Eureka Jo has, this colt returns to Victoria after tackling the Bathurst Gold Chalice series, where he was fortunate enough to taste success in his heat prior to a narrow defeat in the final behind the auspicious Minos. This colt has also had a strong trial between runs to prepare for this assignment, which bodes well.
Although drawn the car park, this son of Art Major is blessed with brilliant gate speed and should be able to clear the runners to his inside comfortably and assume control from thereafter. Although key danger A lot Like Louie is a horse with a lot of natural ability, his racing manners are still a touch questionable and his map could also be complicated.
Bendigo - Race 6 7:33pm
No. 6 Kathys Free
A three-year-old filly taking on the older horses first up, this girl looks a live chance to start her preparation off on a winning note.
With gun driver Jack Laugher doing the steering, this filly has had a trial headed into this run, clocking good closing splits at Bendigo with Laugher aboard there. Pivotally, this runner is trained by Julie Douglas who is having a brilliant run of late.,
This daughter of Art Major steadily improved last campaign, including a stylish victory over this track-distance when leading throughout; which hopefully will be the case this evening given the lack of other pace influences underneath her.
Bendigo - Race 8 8:41pm
No. 9 Tophnut Johnny
In one of the hardest races to work out on the card, this Ross Graham trained runner could be a solid each-way play from the a nice back row draw.
A veteran of twenty wins, this son of Mr Feelgood has been racing well without winning of late, including a creditable fifth placing at Cranbourne last start. On that occasion, this runner made an early solo move, only petering out in the concluding stages to be beaten a touch over 11 metres.
Although drawn the second row, this runner has the services of champion driver Chris Alford and could settle close enough in the run with even luck, which brings him into contention on an each-way basis.