Midweek racing takes us to Bendigo and Canterbury for the best bets and selections as we head towards a big weekend of Group 1 racing.
Bendigo race 2
#8 Star of Manhattan
Star of Manhattan looks ready to break her maiden status after an eye-catching run on debut.
The three-year-old filly began her career at Kilmore over 1100 metres and savaged the line late after being restrained in the first half of the race sit third last.
She hit the line hard up the middle of the course and, now, with a much more cushy barrier, she can settle closer to the lead speed and use her turn of foot.
Champion jockey Craig Williams replaces young hoop Michael Poy which is a sign of intent from trainer Henry Dwyer.
Suggested Bet: Star of Manhattan win at $4.4
Bendigo Race 4
#9 Curwood
Curwood is building towards a big run.
His last two starts have been pass marks as he continues to build a base of fitness to run well over the staying distance which he is bred for.
Being a grandson of the great staying sire Dalakhani, the rise in distance to 2400 metres for this three-year-old gelding from the John Sadler stable is exactly what he is looking for.
The last start effort over 2000 metres was a decent run despite running fourth and being beaten over five lengths.
He looks like a horse who will be better suited drawing the outside and getting his stride in full action much earlier in races rather than being coiled away behind horses on the rails.
Blinkers go on for the first time to spark improvement and Luke Currie hops on for the ride.
Content to bet on an each-way basis.
Suggested Bet: Curwood each-way at $9 the win and $3.10 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 3, 9/ 3, 6, 9, 11/ 3, 6, 9, 11
Bendigo Race 5
#3 cernan & #4 Eaton
We were on Cernan at a nice price last start and he had zero luck when missing by a whisker over 2200 metres in a Sale BM-70.
Jockey Luke Nolen just could not get into clear running until the last 250 metres of the race and by the time he did the winner had a head full of steam was able to hang on.
Cernan draws barrier two again but gets a smaller field for Nolen to navigate a clear passage.
If Cernan cannot get the job done then Eaton is the one to be with at a nice price as well.
He raced in Saturday grade last start after a month break from his four-length BM-64 win at Cranbourne on the March 12th.
Finds a much more suitable race and if jockey Teodore Nugent is positive on him early and finds the front then he will be hard to run down.
Suggested Bet: Cernan win at $3.2 and Eaton win at $9.5
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 3 & 4
Bendigo Race 8
#8 Palace Whisper
Palace Whisper was specked to beat the smart filly Annavisto last start but pulled up lame and scoped with mucus after being beaten out of sight.
Have to respect the market push for her last start in a tougher race than what she faces today.
Damian Lane has opted to stick her after the stable decided to space her runs by three-weeks to get over her issues.
Barrier seven looks a perfect barrier for her to just sidle across and sit just behind the lead speed or even lead if Lane decides that is the best course of action.
Happy to forgive her last start failure and make her the best of the program at Bendigo.
Suggested Bet: Palace Whisper win at $3.9
Canterbury Race 7
#8 Solar Apex
Solar Apex is poised to make it his second career victory.
His run two runs back from a two-month freshen up have been respectable and now he gets up to 1900 metres and has a fitness base to run to his best.
He is a city-performed horse at Flemington after running third behind the smart stayer Liqueuro who has since bolted in the Galilee Series Final at Caulfield.
After carrying 58kgs at Newcastle last start over 1850 metres to run second, he now comes into this race with his weight tumbling down to 54kgs.
He will enjoy a lovely run up on the pace from barrier four and with jockey Tommy Berry sticking with the horse, it clearly clearly shows he is ready to win.
Definitely one of the best on the program at Canterbury.
Suggested Bet: Solar Apex win at $3.8
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 2 ,6 8/ 2, 6, 8/ 2, 6, 7 ,8
