The Wizard of Odds heads over to Bendigo for the best bets ahead of racing on Sunday afternoon in Victoria.
He is backing a Danny O’Brien maiden to find winning form, while there is plenty of value to be found in the back end of the eight-race card.
Bendigo Race 2
#17 Heir Apparent
Heir Apparent was a touch disappointing on debut after some nice jumpouts.
He ran as a two-year-old last month behind smart prospect Cecil Street Lad and now enters this event as a three-year-old colt.
Damian Lane has decided to stick with this horse who should be better for the run.
Expecting another two lengths of improvement here with regards to fitness combined with the race experience.
The soft barrier should see the pair settle handy to the lead speed.
Suggested Bet: Heir Apparent each-way at $6 the win and $2.25 the place
Bendigo Race 5
#4 Ilalliqa
Ilalliqa was strong on her Australian debut at Ballarat last start.
She was first-up off a 241-day break after having a five-start career in Great Britain which yielded a win and a place.
Her effort was brave considering she drew wide, had to settle down last in the run and make her sweeping charge to the line from out deep on the track.
She hit line the stylishly and she now gets up to a mile which should suit her perfectly.
Jordan Childs will ensure she does not settle worse than midfield here and she will ready to pounce on the leaders at the top the straight.
Suggested Bet: Ilalliqa win at $3.2
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 4/ 1, 6, 8/ 1, 6, 8
Bendigo Race 6
#10 Chatelaine
Paddy Payne might have just unlocked the key to Chatelaine she got that elusive win last start.
The six-year-old mare had been terrorising punters but she finally get her second career win, albeit in BM-58 grade, and she reappears here with a big jockey booking.
Damian Lane has been booked in the saddle to pilot her around Bendigo.
The mare showed some early dash in her most recent win and that should give her a competitive advantage in a pretty average field.
Expecting her to settle in the first three and continue her winning form as she attempts to progress through her grades.
Suggested Bet: Chatelaine win at $4.4
Bendigo Race 8
#6 The CLoser
This is a significant drop in grade for The Closer.
Her last career win came in BM-70 grade, which she races in here, but her last handful of runs have been in much harder company than what she faces here.
She only rises half a kilo from that BM-70 win over 1400 metres back in February 2020.
A fortnight ago she had to do all the donkey work chasing a tearaway leader at Flemington and actually did a good job to finish as close as she did.
Barrier one should see her get an easy lead or perfect sit in behind the leaders.
Worth a peanut at big odds.
Suggested Bet: The Closer each-way at $21 the win and $5.5 the place
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 1, 3, 6, 11