A wet day awaits at Bendigo on Wednesday with eight races set to be run on a Heavy 10.
Showers are forecast right across the program, making this another tricky midweek meeting to navigate with some short-priced favourites dominating betting early on the day.
For race analysis, betting strategy, and a look at all the key runners across the meeting, see our race-by-race Bendigo preview down below!
GOLD CHALICE (3) looks the obvious choice with some heavy track experience.
Mark Walker’s colt was fast into stride at Geelong a couple of months ago over a touch further on debut, holding his position well to grab third.
He’s drawn a nice soft gate back in trip and will be hard to beat against a field made up of mostly debutants.
| 3. Gold Chalice (5) J: Michael Dee 58kg 3T: Mark Walker | |||
| Was well in the market at debut, held ground to the line 3rd of 11 at Geelong 2yo Mdn-Sw on June 19 over 1125m, on heavy track; nose behind Fast Freddie carrying 58kg at $4.40. Sharper now and will be very hard to run down. | |||
I AM ARIA (3) has opened short odds, which comes as no surprise given she competed in the Blue Diamond earlier in the autumn.
The daughter to I Am Invincible was second-last to greet the judge, but did run well in the Preview and Prelude races, grabbing a place on each occasion.
Resuming over 1000m is right in her wheelhouse, and off two nice trials leading in, she simply needs to handle the track conditions to be winning.
| 3. I Am Aria (4) J: Michael Dee 57kg 230xT: Mark Walker | |||
| Resuming after a six months break. Finished off last campaign second last of 16 at Caulfield in the G1 Blue Diamond February 21 over 1200m, 11 len behind Streisand carrying 55kg at $51. On debut second of 9 at Caulfield in the G3 Bd/Prev F January 24 over 1000m, 0.8 len behind Rubi’s Choice with 56kg at $18. Form last time stands out, the one to beat. | |||
BELLABAMA (4) is a nine-start maiden who looks very close to finally winning a race.
Clayton Douglas’ mare was one of the runs of the race last time out at Cranbourne over 1400m, tucking in nicely with cover around midfield, before shifting out at the 300m mark to run on strongly for second.
Her previous wet track experience counts for a lot in this contest and she appeared to be wanting much further based on the way she charged the line. With a nice low gate at her disposal, she’s one of the top chances.
| 4. Bellabama (3) J: Jamie Mott 57.5kg x4232T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 10 at Cranbourne 3yo Mdn-Sw on July 16 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 1.3 len behind Shamansara with 54.5kg at $6. The start before that 3rd of 11 at Pakenham Synthetic Mdn-Sw on July 6 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Jenni Agogo with 57.5kg at $7.50. Rates highly on recent form and should be in the finish again. | |||
Happy to give the benefit of the doubt to DIAMOND EYE (1), who was a horror beat as the favourite at Sale a couple of weeks ago over slightly longer.
The daughter to Saxon Warrior was held up badly rounding the turn, eventually finding the clear at the top of the straight, where she quickened strongly to find the front, before being run down over her final stride by the flying Coronationhercules.
Confident if she wasn’t held up she probably wins, so back to 1300m with Jake Noonan sticking, she should be winning.
| 1. Diamond Eye (3) J: Jake Noonan 58kg 7×342T: Reece Goodwin | |||
| Most recently made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Sale Mdn-Sw on July 26 over 1400m, slow going neck behind Coronationhercules carrying 57.5kg at $3.60. Before that 4th of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside 2yo+ Mdn-Sw on July 8 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Here’s Matilda carrying 57.5kg at $15. Coming along well and should go close. | |||
INSAIN HARRY (5) is back from a break with some good first-up form to his name.
He’s drawn to get a lovely run from midfield with a low gate to his name, and he’s no strange to handling wet tracks either.
The son of Zousain charged the line late Caulfield Heath last time out for second and carried big weight with no problem right through his previous prep. The 1000m trip is short of his best, but having finished outside the money only three times from 15 starts, there’s plenty to like about his overall record.
| 5. Insain Harry (2) J: Ben Allen 60kg 1132xT: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 8 at Caulfield Heath 0 – 66 March 4 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind King Tut with 60kg at $3.50. Previous preparation first-up to post a big 3.5 len win. Werribee Mdn-Sw December 15 over 1108m defeating Zubba Storm with 59.5kg at $1.50. Handy sort who maps for every hope fresh. | |||
SET ME LOOSE (5) is easy to build a case for.
Lindsey Smith’s mare won by a huge three-length margin two back at Seymour, form that has really stood up since. She then went on to just miss out on a place up a level at Caulfield, holding her own to finish fourth behind some smart horses.
Love that she’s been given a trial between starts to keep her sharp, which bodes well for her first look at 1100m.
| 5. Set Me Loose (10) J: Fred W Kersley 60.5kg 21×14T: Lindsey Smith | |||
| Third-up today. Comes off a 46 day let-up. Resuming favourite; won by 3.5 len at Seymour Bm62 June 11 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating In Haste with 58.5kg at $2.20. Second run from a spell came from midfield; 4th of 14 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on June 27 over 1000m, slow going 5.5 len behind I’m Foxing with 54.5kg at $3.40. Finds a nice race here and should go close. | |||
Happy to stick with YUKI (11) after a bit went wrong for the Godolphin gelding last start at Geelong.
The son to Frosted was denied a second win after winning on debut at Ballarat the start prior, coming into contact with another runner at the top of the straight, which likely cost him a stride or two when finishing runner-up to Nightime Star.
Two runs over 1200m sets up nicely for this rise in trip though, while the other big positive is the fact he’s faced heavy tracks in both runs so far. Just needs luck from a very awkward barrier to be a factor.
| 11. Yuki (16) J: Jackson Radley 58.5kg 12T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Having third race start. When well in the market at debut, came from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Ballarat Mdn-Sw June 12 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Iberian Lynx with 59.5kg at $4.80. Second-up held ground to the line 2nd of 8 at Geelong 3yo Bm64 on July 10 over 1243m, in the wet; nose behind Nightime Star with 59.5kg at $4. Has plenty of upside and will take beating. | |||
STAY HUMBLE (3) should be tricky to catch providing he doesn’t spend too many petrol tickets offseting the wide gate.
Ciaron Maher’s gelding has been good without winning this time in work, grabbing a place at Mornington and Sandown to begin his prep, before weakening badly up on the speed in a much tougher race last time out.
The 1.5kg claim helps him out at the weights on Wednesday and he did run quite well over the 1500m trip at Sandown last September. Hard fit now fourth-up, he’ll be one of the hardest to run down.
| 3. Stay Humble (12) J: Jabez Johnstone 60.5kg 2×339T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Last start raced on the pace before fading 9th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 on July 22 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Jenni Multabella carrying 59.5kg at $7. The race before that held ground to the line 3rd of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm66 on July 8 over 1200m, on heavy track; 2.75 len behind Mahershala with 58.5kg at $5. Finds a nice race here to bounce back. | |||