The Bendigo Cup takes precedence for the Punter’s Prince on Wednesday as he goes through the runner-by-runner guide for the $400,000 feature event.
Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace look to have a stranglehold on the race with an ever-progressive stayer continuing to climb through the ranks.
#1 Amade
Phillip Stokes
Races on the quick back-up after finishing fourth in the Geelong Cup.
He is clearly in fine fettle at the moment and will take beating should he get a slot in with cover from the barrier.
Only concern is he has to carry the top weight and he might feel the pinch of it late in the race.
Odds: $4.8 the win and $1.75 the place.
Finishing position: Third
#2 Mosh Music
Archie alexander
Is unbeaten at the distance with two wins from two starts to 2400 metres and has won her only start at Bendigo.
She does come into this race with a gap between runs which is not ideal and started a much longer price than Amade in the Bart Cummings.
Daniel Moor rides, which is a plus, but doubt she has the right set-up to run to her best here.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.30 the place.
Finishing position: Sixth
#3 wentwood
Maddie Raymond
Starting to become one of the King’s of the country cup scene.
The beauty about this stayer is that he tries his guts in every race he contests and very nearly found himself in a Caulfield Cup after being nosed out in a photo finish last start in the Coongy Cup.
Hitting full fitness now and will run a cracker from barrier one.
Odds: $7.5 the win and $2.15 the place.
Finishing position: Second
#4 Aktau
Mike moroney
Steps down in grade after being tailed out in the Caulfield Cup last start.
He won’t be beaten by over 20 lengths this time, but he will not be winning either.
Prefer not to risk him.
Odds: $101 the win and $26 the place.
Finishing position: Last
#5 Tooradin
Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace
Was slightly disappointing in the Herbert Power at Caulfield last start.
His form is is still good enough to be competitive in this event and he does get the in-form Linda Meech who is riding brilliantly at the moment.
Definitely a top four chance, but at the price, he is no value.
Odds: $4.2 the win and $1.6 the place.
Finishing position: Fourth
#6 Barade
archie alexander
He is the pick of the Archie Alexander horses.
His form ties with Tooradin out of the Herbert Power.
Will get a nice run from barrier six, but he started much longer than Tooradin last start and would prefer to see him at $20-$30 rather than the current price.
Happy to let him go around a losing runner.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.3 the place
Finishing position: Fifth
#7 Constantinople
Aaron purcell
Getting towards peak fitness and finds a suitable distance for his running style.
However, he has not been hitting the line well enough to suggest he is capable of winning this race.
Odds: $71 the win and $13 the place
Finishing position: Tenth
#8 smokin romans
ciaron maher & dave eustace
Was as brave as they come at Caulfield a fortnight ago when carrying 61kgs.
This race set-up looks ideal for him with barrier two affording Jye Mcneil the chance to find the lead or an on-pace position with cover without having to do any work early in the race.
Tumbles down to 54kgs and his fitness will be at an appropriate level to run to this best, which is more than capable of winning of this race by a length or two.
The deserved favourite and the on-top selection.
Odds: $3.2 the win and $1.35 the place.
Finishing position: First
#9 Taramansour
Matthew Cumani
Was the subject of a spirited betting move against Smokin Romans at Caulfield and ran okay without threatening to win.
This a much harder race and he looks a touch outclassed by a host of runners.
A wide barrier means he will probably be snagged back and spotting the leaders too big of a start.
Odds: $13 the win and $3.50 the place
Finishing position: Seventh
#10 Sous Les Nuages
Matthew Cumani
Jumps from a much better barrier than he has drawn at his first two Australian runs.
The only problem is that he looks a little too one-paced to be finishing in the first half of the field as well his form on firm surfaces not being his best.
All his form comes on soft or synthetic going.
Odds: $61 the win and $10 the place
Finishing position: Eighth
#11 token spirit
Robbie Griffiths & Mathew De Kock
Tough to win a race like the Bendigo Cup only second-up into your campaign.
Will definitely appreciate the rise in distance, but prefer to be with him in the later in the preparation when his race fitness is thriving.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Ninth
