The Wizard of Odds travels to Echuca for the best bets on a Monday afternoon of country racing.
There is a three-year-old filly he is forgiving for a poor last start effort who should break her maiden status today.
Echuca Race 2
#8 Benetti
Benetti was absolutely truckloaded late in betting at Pakenham when resuming from a spell.
She was reefed at the start of the race to settle second last and was never able to make up ground on the leaders who had a picnic up front.
Trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. have opted to send her back to country maiden grade to breakthrough for a win and have secured the services of Michael Walker.
Hoping Walker can push forward and show initiative early in the race given there does not look to be a heap of early speed.
Suggested Bet: Benetti win at $4.8
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 4, 8, 9
Echuca race 4
#6 Okra
Okra had excuses last start but gets a chance to bounce back here in a race that looks to set up quite well for him when looking at the speed map.
There looks to be a bit of pressure early in this race with Merge and Bolden Beau likely to tussle each other for the lead when the gates open.
That should allow Okra to slot in behind the lead speed with some cover rather than being posted out deep with no cover like he was at Wangaratta a fortnight ago.
It was his first try stepping up to the 2000-metre distance range this preparation and that effort should see an improved performance in this race with that run being a nice way to build a fitness base.
Suggested Bet: Okra each-way at $6 the win and $2.15 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 3, 6/ 1, 3, 6/ 1, 3, 6, 11
Echuca Race 5
#3 Beautiful Bee
Beautiful Bee drops down in grade significantly from a BM-64 over 1000 metres at Bendigo with a BM-58 at country level.
She drew a very wide barrier when resuming from a spell off a nice trail win at the Echuca 900-metre starting position and now gets a much more favourable set up to get back into winning form.
Gun apprentice jockey Josh Richards should be able to slot in just behind the leaders who will go ‘gung ho’ up front and that will mean he can conserve this mare’s energy for late in the race.
She is a mid-week Sandown winner, albeit it at long odds, and if she can replicate that form here and run up to her trial victory then she can win this easily.
We can play her each-way at the price.
Suggested bet: Beautiful Bee each-way at $7 the win and $2.15 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 1, 3/ 1, 3, 11/ 1, 3, 7, 11
Echuca Race 6
#7 Kerioth
A tough, gritty on-pace victory by Kerioth was enough to get his maiden win on the board and he looks set to make it two from two this preparation.
Apprentice Madison Lloyd never gave up the lead when riding this horse for the first time after he started an even-money favourite.
He has to contend with a rise in grade to BM-64 level without any weight relief but the race experience and fitness he will derive that first-up win should quell any issues at the weights.
Being drawn out wider on the course might actually be an advantage as he will be allowed to stride forward without being restrained.
He is the best of the day at Echuca.
Suggested bet: Kerioth win at $3
