BENDIGO June 21
Mid-week racing with provincial status only at the “Nursery of Champions” – no Beau Mertens (no premiership value) and juniors Allen and Thompson without a claim against Williams, Callow, Nolen, Rawiller, Dunn and deep seniors lists on track rail true. Raced here on a Saturday (June 3) with rail out 9m and track should be in good winter shape rated a Soft 5 with a cool cloudy morning.
BEST: Race 8: #5 CURVATURE $2.05 bet now
VALUE: Race 6: #7 DEADLY CHOICES $10 bet now
Race 1: 13-2-14-16
Obviously 13 DIAMOND GRACE looms (as market suggests) as the progressive one here and striaght to 2400m 2nd up (it is Mick Kent) off encouraging return with Savvy Dancer form looking to obvious. 2 ALL WELL had lost Jamie Morr last two jumps starts but flat form either side good enough and is obviously seasoned as any of these for C Williams. Not much between Weir’s 14 L’AMOUR DE MA VIE and his ex-charge (now Archie Alexander) 16 SIRIUS WITNESS. Note hurdel trial for Ciaron Maher’s 6 MUTINEER since latest typically plugging effort.
Suggested: 13 DIAMOND GRACE $2.65 bet now is going better places, most of these are not or haven;t been there yet and unlikely too unless great jumpers.
Race 2: 12-9-7-10.
Tricky with four first starters each who have shown ability (5 LORD WENTWORTH at jumpouts and 6 MY BOY GREG Avoca trials and 11 STORMING PRINCESS Tatura trials) so no surprise if they are competitive but thinking 7 SHOPLIFTER the pick of debutantes. Trialled 12 weeks ago? Going 12 WALDENBERG off a 57-week break. Form around Violate and Curvature from two runs is way better than the raced here so taking some trust in that. 9 JOYANO has had a good jumpout and has plenty of experience to measure up here. 10 LATIN BANQUET gets Callow and last run better than looks.
Suggested: 12 WALDENBERG $4.40 bet now has best form, hope for a lead and follow the gamble.
Race 3: 17-9-18-1
The most intriguing race of the day with late season 2YO’s and perhaps a contender for the Bendigo honour roll board winning their maiden on debut. None more so than 9 PLATO – big name for a big price ($1.5m) who seemingly sizzled around Caulfield in blinkers in a jumpout. Has obviously been well found off that, price, breeding, owners – but is it value for us as punters? 17 TAKEMEHOMEMISTER (a $19k yearling) is in good hands and had excuses after sound Valley debut (pulled up coughing). Love a one race of experience for a 2YO. If you like it 18 EXELTARA comes through same race with almost as similar appeal but 2/4/7/8/15 have shown something somewhere.
SUGGESTED: Something small each-way 17 TAKEMEHOMEMISTER $7.50 bet now but much to watch and learn.
Race 4: 4-5-7-9
All have some claim here. Weighting in jockey bookings (and pluses against opposition) in going 4 ERAMOSA off strong maiden win over 5 PRECIOUS JOURNEY who gets Williams 3rd run in up to 1600m. Clearly 7 THE BIG OH off luckless run and 9 ORANGE RIVER who will be strong late earn respect and not knocking 2 OUR MALLEE HOOF, honest but not winning but may do so here but under the odds for mine.
Suggested: Like 4 ERMOSA $6 bet now at the price in open race.
Race 5: 4-3-1-7
Liked the return win for new trainer Ciaron Maher of 4 SMOKIN’ BELLA – attacked the line and indicated such off a trial. 3 GIGI GIRL is back in mares grade off a break (not sure what to read into that) but Callow will find luck from inside draw. The vet found problems on scope with 1 GIDDYUP last time and is an 8 length maiden winner this track. Best value 7 FOURTY NINE RIDDLES – not knocking winning form in this grade.
Suggested: Straight out here 4 SMOKIN’BELLA $2.60 bet now
Race 6: 7-10-15-11
We got a good return 7 DEADLY CHOICES in town last time and again it goes relatively ignored here at double figure odds. Wins wasn’t a fluke covering ground and hitting line. Drawn for a better run and hopefully same result. 10 WILLI WILLI will be well found by video watchers and is a quaddie must. 15 TROJAN STORM was excellent on debut behind my top pick. 11 FIRST APPROACH has found winning form for Weir and that’s always a sign of punter’s respect (especially after Saturday’s long priced city double)
Suggested: The value again each-way is 7 DEADLY CHOICES $10 bet now
Race 7: 15-8-6-10
This is tough but going 15 ST SWITHUNS on better ground and here at Bendigo from good draw. Also forgiveable last time is 8 GALAXY RAIDER, was well backed but Williams wasn’t happy with actions, sticks with it and is a second-up winner. 6 SIR SAGAMORE is honest, was good without luck last time and has Callow. 10 KEVIN’S TIME goes in (Weir) and 9 VEGA DE LAGO (wider quaddie).
Suggested: No problem with the value 15 ST SWITHUNS $5.50 bet now
Race 8: 5-10-3-3
Have to brave and stick neck out on 5 CURAVATURE – well form clearly better than these (BM64), but needs to offset draw and this is easiest race it has contested. Like to know why only one spring start (Benz/Ken’s Dream) but jumpout was good recently. One-out in quaddie. In the wider look, 10 BLITHE BELLE will improve off another average 2ndup run. 3 SECRETAN is down and grade and was caught wide 2nd-up. 8 LEVITICAL will be fitter and dropping back to the 1100m here.
Suggested: If horse runs to form, 5 CURVATURE $2.05 bet now should win but no spoil at the morning odds.
QUADDIE:
1-3-4-5-6-7
3-7-10-11-15
4-6-8-9-10-15
5
$150 for 100%