Some late in the day plays from The Wizard of Odds are set to cap off a magnificent weekend of results and racing.
Ballarat and Bendigo have taken the eye as look to make more cash to end the weekend.
Bendigo Race 7
#8 Far Enough
Far Enough debuted in fine style back in October last year and was then sent to the paddock after running fifth in a BM-64 over 1300 metres.
After an extended, he returns to racing first-up into a 1000-metre BM-64 affair at Bendigo which is the scene of the crime of his first win.
Damien Oliver has a great association with this horse and he would not elect to ride it if he did not think it was a genuine winning hope despite drawing a wide barrier.
The only knock on this horse might be where he gets to run in the from the barrier but if they go like the clappers up front he should be able to run on.
The wide gate may actually get him to better part of the track where he can unleash his sprint.
Suggested Bet: Far Enough win at $5
Suggested Exotic: – Quinella 1 & 8
Bendigo Race 8
#6 Alumna
Alumna was as tough as nails when winning first-up over 1300 metres at this track.
She was asked to the sit outside the lead of what was a fairly solid tempo but she booted clear to win by just under a length.
Trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have clearly given four-year-old mare time to furnish into a race horse and she was strong at the end of her sprint.
She has to deal with a rise in distance to 1600 metres but these Waterhouse runners are always screwed down to the mark and fitness will not be an issue.
She gets the services of Damien Oliver to pilot her out in front and it’s tough to against a hard nosed Waterhouse front-runner who is in winning form.
Best of the day from Bendigo.
Suggested Bet: Alumna win at $2.2
Ballarat Race 6
#8 Paris Gem
Paris Gem is no superstar but she is an honest synthetic track performer.
Interesting to note that trainer Sue Naylor has gone with senior Craig Newitt as the pilot this time around.
The decision to put Newitt should see this horse settle much closer to the speed than she has in previous starts.
Thinking he may attempt to lead on this six-year-old mare who has had two wins and two placings from nine attempts at the track.
Even if there is too much pace to lead, she can take a sit in behind the leaders and peel off to prouce her run.
Her effort last start over 1400 metres at the track would be very competitive in this race and suspect she will only improve with Newitt aboard.
Suggested Bet: Paris Gem each-way at $9 the win and $2.7 the place
Suggested Exotic: Boxed First Four – 4, 5, 6, 8
Ballarat Race 7
#8 Predicated
Predicated drops in grade to BM-58 level after acquitting himself respectfully in a BM-64 against some solid provincial and city performers.
He raced over 1400 metres at the Ballarat synthetic track last start and was beaten six lengths by Come on Carl who has performed in town.
That form line should stack up well in a fairly feeble affair here and despite being drawn wide, his on pace running style should thwart that factor.
Lachlan King should be able to follow Dixie Built across from the out deep on the track and either slide forward to outside lead or slot in for cover one pair back.
Tough to see him missing a place if King is positive from the barrier.
Suggested bet: Predicated each-way at $5.5 the win and $2.25 the place.
