The Group 3 Bendigo Cup is the mid-week racing feature this Wednesday. With $500,000 up for grabs, a strong local crowd is expected at the nursery of champions. Find out who our experts are tipping to take home the chocolates!
Bendigo Race 6
#3 Sure
Sure looks the good thing on the program. The So You Think gelding was brilliant without winning fresh, and his form prior is first-class. His record at the mile is near perfect, and I suspect he will strip fitter after his recent outing. The enigmatic four-year-old has plenty of upside, and he has been heavily supported since markets opened. Hard to toss!
Gin O’clock is ultra-consistent. The Kodi Bear gelding should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign, and he looks well placed meeting similar opposition. He stays at his pet distance, and the 2kg apprentice puts him into all winning conversations. If he can find the bunny during the early stages of the race, he may prove hard to run down. He needs to put another win on the board.
Vivideel resumes after a string of impressive barrier trials. The Dundeel gelding traditionally performs well fresh, and the form around him has stood up time and again. The mile is a good starting point for the preparation, and if he is fully wound up for a first-up tilt, he can make his presence felt in the shadows. I would prefer to promote him over further deeper into his campaign.
Suggested Bet: Sure @ $2.30
Bendigo RACE 7
#2 Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square has turned heads this campaign. The Territories gelding is ready for the longer trip, and his performance in the Coongy behind a smart one reads incredibly well for this event. From barrier eight he can sit midfield with some cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. Watch for the big boy late!
Herman Hesse is a serious player. The Frankel gelding recorded back-to-back victories before having excuses in the Geelong Cup. The 2400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation, and it may pay dividends to forgive and forget his latest performance. The awkward barrier is the primary concern.
Sea King makes his Australian debut on Wednesday. The Sea The Stars gelding boasts solid international form, and he has been well supported since markets opened. His best performances here could be fences and panels better than his rivals, and he looks dangerous jumping from an inside draw. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Berkeley Square @ $7.00
Bendigo Race 8
#10 Mantua
Mantua is low flying. The Fastnet Rock gelding has been notching up wins for fun at present, and he looks extremely well placed to continue on his winning way. The 1100m is ideal at this stage of the preparation, and I suspect he will pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers. The avalanche of early money indicates another bold performance, and I suspect he will start in the red.
Anilla resumes after several impressive jump outs. The Valentia gelding traditional motors fresh, and his record at the distance speaks volumes. From barrier two he can occupy the box seat throughout, and if Blake Shinn can punch him through the right gap as they run for the doctor, he can figure in the finish. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Ranting resumes for his new stable. The Zoustar gelding is the class runner of the field, and he can cause a boil over here at a decent price. From the wide gate he will drift back and find his hooves, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the early stages of the race, he can make his presence felt late. The allocated weight and his recent form are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Mantua @ $2.35
Bendigo Race 9
#8 Hooah Havana
Hooah Havana is ready to win. The War Chant gelding has raced well without winning this campaign, and I suspect he has been trained to the minute for his third-up assignment. From barrier four he can lead the field a merry dance, and if he is allowed to control the clock throughout, he will look the winner inside the final furlong. Great each way value.
Yellow Sam will have supporters with her enviable second-up record. The Ready For Victory mare will appreciate the significant drop-in class, and she finds her pet distance. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and she looks the class runner of the field. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Ten Commandments is a must for broader exotics and multiples. The Palentino gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he looked luckless at Flemington. He should be ready to explode at this stage of his preparation, and he has been specked at a price since acceptances. Can figure with an economical run in-transit.
Suggested Bet: Hooah Havana @ $10.00
