Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for tonight’s meeting at Bendigo.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: BETTORSWEETVICTORY (8) did it tough last start and was still too good. Driver James Herbertson opted to come off the fence into the breeze from the same barrier and may look to do the same again here. POLLY PEACHUM (2) is a fast beginner who should map forward from barrier two. She was unlucky last start when she got too far back but still hit the line well. MISTER FONZI (1) has a strong quarter when saved for one run and gets the perfect barrier for a good fence-line trip. BYRNESIDE BOOM (9) was a good winner last start in the breeze and draws to follow through early into a nice position.
SELECTIONS: BETTORSWEETVICTORY (8), POLLY PEACHUM (2), MISTER FONZI (1), BYRNESIDE BOOM (9)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: FREMARKS PEGGY (1) was dominant last start, winning by 23.8 metres after working forward to find the front. There are a few horses drawn outside her here with strong gate speed that could cross early, so the barrier may be a little tricky, but she is racing very well. MIDNIGHT MUSCLE (3) is one of the front-line runners with good gate speed and looks likely to find the fence. He has been racing consistently well this preparation, but he sat behind Fremarks Peggy last start and couldn’t go with her, so will need a decent head start to turn the tables. WAIKARE ADRIENNA (9) follows out another fast beginner in MOONSHINE LOUIE (2) and should map into a good forward position off the fence without being used early. The race shape suits her. BETTOR MAN (4) broke through for his maiden win last start when first up this year for new trainer Brad Angove. He raced in the breeze and was dominant. He is a tough horse who will improve from that run, but this is a step up in class from maiden grade.
BACK: FREMARKS PEGGY (1) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: FREMARKS PEGGY (1), MIDNIGHT MUSCLE (3), WAIKARE ADRIENNA (9), BETTOR MAN (4)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: MONTANA MUSCLE (9) settled one-out, three-back last start and flashed home well to win. She looks likely to get a similar run in a similar field and can go back-to-back here. JESSICAS STORY (1) raced well from the same barrier last start and should get a good trip again, likely mapping behind the fast beginner CHRISTMAS BABE (5). CHRISTMAS BABE (5) typically uses her electric gate speed to hold the front. If the last quarter isn’t too fast and she hasn’t had to absorb too much pressure, she is often right in the finish. POPPY POPSTAR (10) is a tough mare in great form. She can make her own luck and will need to from barrier ten.
BACK: MONTANA MUSCLE (9) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: MONTANA MUSCLE (9), JESSICAS STORY (1), CHRISTMAS BABE (5), POPPY POPSTAR (10)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: MIDNIGHT MOTH (4) is a smart colt trained by Emma Stewart having his second start. He raced in the breeze on debut at Geelong and was too good and will improve from that run. SAVON DE ROCHE (9) is a nice mare in career-best form, with five starts this year for three wins and two placings. She is a strong sit sprinter, but last start she won impressively in the breeze, showing she is versatile and can make her own luck. She has a suitable barrier to follow through early. JOHN WAYNE (6) hasn’t looked great in his last two runs, but with a concession driver claim this is a drop-in class back into 50–55 grade. He is third up this preparation after two years on the sidelines, so improvement is expected with fitness. ANIMADO (5) has strong point-to-point speed and has run the fastest quarter in this field. If he gets luck and is saved for one run, he can flash home.
SELECTIONS: MIDNIGHT MOTH (4), SAVON DE ROCHE (9), JOHN WAYNE (6) ANIMADO (5)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: This looks to be one of the most even races on the card. NIVEKALON EAGLE (9) is second up this year. He was okay last start with no luck, but will improve significantly with that run under his belt and this is a drop in class. DOT BALL (10) is a good swooper who hit the line really well last start after getting a long way back. If she finds luck, she can be flashing home here. IAMAWINGATE (8) has an awkward barrier but should be able to settle on the fence without being used early. If driver James Herbertson can find the right splits late, he will be flashing home. TASTE IT (6) has the best sectional times in this field and the best gate speed, giving her strong claims.
SELECTIONS: NIVEKALON EAGLE (9), DOT BALL (10), IAMAWINGATE (8), TASTE IT (6)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: There looks to be quite a few exciting future prospects in this two-year-old trot. VERBICI (1) is a first starter. Barrier one can be a bit awkward for debuting trotters, but his recent trials have been very strong and he looks a quality type with a promising future. CORPORATE AFFAIRS (4) is a very well-bred first starter for trainer Antti Ruokonen. He is by Bold Eagle and his dam is a sister to the dam of champion mare Keayang Zahara. He has had two promising trials, both seconds at Terang. ALDEBARAN JERICHO (3) is another first starter who won a Bacchus Marsh trial, beating five older horses. He is elite bred, out of top mare Endinso and sired by Muscle Mass. CALLINAN (2) has had five trials leading into his debut for the Peter and Kerryn Manning combination. He has produced a few okay trials, but it’s hard to line up his ability. Whatever he does here, he will improve and we will learn more from this run.
BACK: VERBICI (1) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: VERBICI (1), CORPORATE AFFAIRS (4), ALDEBARAN JERICHO (3), CALLINAN (2)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: In a race with quite a few chances, the map will be very important. SALSBOY (2) is the experienced runner with great gate speed and should be able to find the front here. He has proven to be a horse that excels when he gets the right run. If he can lead comfortably and hand up to a suitable horse to take him into the straight, he will be right in the finish. ALLGOOD VINNIE (7) has been in career-best form since joining the Ashleigh Herbertson stable, finishing in the top three in seven of his nine starts for the team. He flew home impressively last start from second last in a big field at Ballarat to finish third. He does have electric gate speed, but is probably better saved for one run, which makes the barrier tricky. TEX GOES BANG (5) is a reliable, experienced performer for Ross Graham. He was a dominant winner last start and races well for driver James Herbertson. He lacks gate speed, so will need some luck. HESTON CASH (1) is third up after a long break and should be nearing peak fitness. He hit the line well last start but couldn’t get clear running. He doesn’t have great gate speed, so is likely to settle three back on the fence at best.
SELECTIONS: SALSBOY (2), ALLGOOD VINNIE (7), TEX GOES BANG (5), HESTON CASH (1)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: MIKI B (2) has good gate speed and should be able to get forward here. He is first up, but raced in the Chariots Of Fire two starts ago, beaten only 12.9 metres behind superstar mare Captains Mistress. TOORAM MAGIC (4) doesn’t have strong numerical form this year, but he hasn’t been racing as poorly as it looks on paper, often having bad luck or tough runs. At his best, he is a smart horse and a first four chance if he finds that form. MEDINA (6) is a very nice horse on his day, although his manners can be an issue. If he brings his best, he will be very competitive. IN AN IDEAL WORLD (3) is a quality horse for John and Ewa Justice who can make his own luck with his toughness. He finished third behind Cardigan Dan last start.
BACK: MIKI B (2) – 4 units (win)
SELECTIONS: MIKI B (2), TOORAM MAGIC (4), MEDINA (6), IN AN IDEAL WORLD (3)
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: A lot of respect here for the Emma Stewart-trained first starter CARDIGAN SNIPER (7), out of broodmare Pastels and sired by Ultimate Sniper. He won a recent trial at Bendigo. WESTERIA (3) has had one career start for a strong second at Cranbourne, flashing home in a solid last quarter. She will improve from that run and, on limited exposed form, her race times are the best in this field. GRANDIOSA (1) is a first starter for Julie Douglas, sired by current leading Australian two-year-old sire Huntsville. She showed promising gate speed in a winning trial in February. She did look around a bit in that trial but showed ability and may suit having cover. From barrier one she should be able to hold a forward position, either leading or behind the leader, and will improve from whatever she does here. WICKED TORQUE (4) is one of the more experienced runners in the field with four starts. She is yet to place but hit the line well last start and looks to be improving.
SELECTIONS: CARDIGAN SNIPER (7), WESTERIA (3), GRANDIOSA (1), WICKED TORQUE (4)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R2 #1 FREMARKS PEGGY – 2 units (win)
R3 #9 MONTANA MUSCLE – 2 units (win)
R6 #1 VERBICI – 2 units (win)
R8 #2 MIKI B – 4 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
1,2,8,9/1,3,4,9/1,5,9,10/4,5,6,9/
QUADDIE
6,8,9,10/1,3,4/1,2,5,7/2
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
** A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10
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