Bendigo Harness Preview – Wednesday, May 27

OVERVIEW: AFFAMATO (8) had to sustain a strong three-wide run late last start at Ballarat and was only narrowly beaten. The start prior he was strong winning first up. Another awkward barrier confronts him here, but he has the class. MISTER JIMARINGLE (6) was severely checked last start, so that performance can be forgiven. If saved for one run, he has a nice turn of foot. FLIP A COIN (12) has been in great form, winning his last two starts at Wagga. He was able to work forward and find the front in those runs, which is unlikely here from the back row barrier. RUMPELSTILTSKIN (1) has enough gate speed to have map options here. The race map suits. DUSTY PHILTRA (13) is also in great form, but has an unfavourable barrier. 

SELECTIONS: AFFAMATO (8), MISTER JIMARINGLE (6), FLIP A COIN (12), RUMPELSTILTSKIN (1) 

OVERVIEW: TOORAM DANNY (9) is lightly raced, having had only four career starts since December 2024. Last start he had to cover an extra 33 metres racing wide in a tough run and was beaten just over 10 metres. The start prior he flashed home well into second. From barrier nine, he is likely to get a better trip to show his talent here. MADAM REACTOR (1) is a gate-speed mare who performs well when she finds the fence. She should map well from barrier one. OWEN THE SAINTS (11) is first up here for John Tormey. He was eye-catching last start, flashing home into second after five months off the track. He will improve from that run. SPORTING RAGE (3) is a first-four chance here with luck. If the emergency TREACHEROUSTIMES (4) gets a start here, he will be one to watch as he’s in great form. 

BACK: TOORAM DANNY (9) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: TOORAM DANNY (9), MADAM REACTOR (1), OWEN THE SAINTS (11), SPORTING RAGE (3) 

OVERVIEW: TICTOK (9) is a flashy chestnut mare with a great turn of foot when she is at her best. She sustained a strong three-wide trip last start to finish second. She has notably the best sectional times in this event and a suitable barrier. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (8) is in winning form after leading all the way last start at Ballarat. She is a nice mare on her day, but will need luck from the barrier. AMOUR MATERNAL (3) is racing in great form, hitting the line impressively at her last two starts. She has a great turn of foot. QUEEN KIZEN (6) is the sister to champion mare Queen Elida. She won the South Australian Trotters Oaks at the end of last year. At all of her starts back this year, she has encountered bad luck. She is better than her recent numerical form suggests. 

BACK: TICTOK (9) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: TICTOK (9), THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (8), AMOUR MATERNAL (3), 
QUEEN KIZEN (6) 

OVERVIEW: WOW YOU CAN DANCE (11) hit the line well two starts back at Maryborough to finish second. Last start he got too far back but still ran home well after racing wide throughout. He is racing better than his form looks on paper, and local reinsman Alex Ashwood, who knows the track well, takes the drive. REASON TO LAUGH (9) couldn’t get out last start, but looked like he could have gone close to winning if clear running had come. His start prior was promising at Cranbourne. He follows through a horse with decent gate speed and should be able to map well here. WATCH IT HAPPEN (4) has been racing well without winning recently in the west. He hasn’t raced at this track for some time and will be driven by Australia’s leading driver James Herbertson for the first time. With some luck, he is a winning chance. THE ACCIDENTAL ONE (7) has been a little inconsistent recently, but on his day can perform quite well. He was quite good three starts back after having to do it tough. A good first four chance with luck. 

BACK: WOW YOU CAN DANCE (11) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: WOW YOU CAN DANCE (11), REASON TO LAUGH (9), WATCH IT HAPPEN (4), THE ACCIDENTAL ONE (7) 

OVERVIEW: KYRGIOS (9) has the best sectional times in this field, although his numerical form does not look great. He has a good barrier here to follow out the fast beginner LOCHIEL LAD (2) and get into a handy position. TEX GOES BANG (3) did underperform last start. However, he got well back and had a poor barrier. If his last start is forgiven, his previous four runs were great. KIMCHI (4) has been performing well recently and has a good record with driver Taylor Youl. He has the gate speed to get into a handy position early. SALSBOY (7) has been racing well and can figure here with luck from barrier seven. 

BACK: KYRGIOS (9) – 1 unit (win) 

SELECTIONS: KYRGIOS (9), TEX GOES BANG (3), KIMCHI (4), SALSBOY (7) 

OVERVIEW: MAJOR BLITZ (7) has put together two good victories this campaign. He was able to find the front on both occasions, and last start also came from barrier seven. He is a smart horse with winning confidence. TOORAM MAGIC (8) is backing up from an eye-catching victory on Saturday night. He covered an extra 35 metres racing wide before flashing home. His barrier could be awkward here, following out a slow beginner. PERUN (9) was a great winner with Liam Older in the sulky for the first time last start at Melton. He had the same barrier on that occasion and, when saved for one run, dashed home well. LEAVEMEOUT (4) has the best sectional times in this field. His win last start at Cranbourne was impressive and, if he can replicate that form, he is more than competitive here. 

SELECTIONS: MAJOR BLITZ (7), TOORAM MAGIC (8), PERUN (9), LEAVEMEOUT (4) 

OVERVIEW: OX KNOX (3) has been out of the winners’ circle recently, but comes up with a good barrier here. He has the gate speed to find a handy position and comes from the strong James Herbertson-Ross Graham combination. Last start he was back in grade but galloped. His previous runs were in Saturday night company at Melton, so he will appreciate this class. PARIS JAMILLA (9) got her manners wrong early last start, but her previous performances show she is back to her best with some strong wins. She should get a good run from barrier nine. DEEJAY DEX (7) has ability when he puts it all together. Barrier seven allows him space to settle early. He has the best sectional times in this event and, with luck, will be flashing home. THE ITALIAN DREAM (2) won very well two starts back when she looped the field late to storm home. She also hit the line very well last start in a faster final quarter. She is racing very well and should not get as far back from this barrier. 

SELECTIONS: OX KNOX (3), PARIS JAMILLA (9), DEEJAY DEX (7), THE ITALIAN DREAM (2) 

OVERVIEW: IDEAL FRANKIE (2) is a first starter out of star mare Pistol Abbey for Allan McDonough. She was eye-catching in a recent trial at Melton and looks like a filly we could be seeing a lot of in the winners’ circle. Looking forward to watching her debut. WOODVILLE FLYER (5) is a smart filly out of another star mare in Aussie Made Lombo. She was good in her first two career starts, but suffered a flat tyre last start. She looks a promising type, although the barrier is awkward. SURETHING (3) is another first starter in this event. She has had trial experience on this track that looked good, although the times were not fast. We will learn more about her in this run. LOOK AT HER (6) is an interesting filly in this field. Her exposed form does not look threatening, but she has recently changed to the Sam Barker stable and may appreciate the change in scenery. 

BACK: IDEAL FRANKIE (2) – 3 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: IDEAL FRANKIE (2), WOODVILLE FLYER (5), SURETHING (3), LOOK AT HER (6) 

OVERVIEW: An even contest to end the night. PLAYA DEL CARMEN (3) steps out for the high-striking James Herbertson. She was okay two starts back when second at Kilmore and finds a suitable race here. ALWAYS SKYE HIGH (7) has got her manners wrong early at her past two starts. She has the best sectional times in this field from the runs where she has been on her best behaviour. THAT OTHER THING (6) can get his manners wrong, but if he trots throughout he can threaten here. MISS AVENGER (2) is looking to give driver Brent White his first career win. She was second last start and looks to map well here. 

SELECTIONS: PLAYA DEL CARMEN (3), ALWAYS SKYE HIGH (7), THAT OTHER THING (6), MISS AVENGER (2)