Bendigo Wednesday 23 July

OVERVIEW: USYK (8) moved away from the markers shortly after the start, circled around the field to race without cover and battled on too well when a big winner at Shepparton last week. He should be getting fitter after his two starts back from a break and he is the class runner of the field. SHOTINTHEDARK (3) is a fast beginner and was heavily backed in his heat performance ($1-35 fav) but was he held up for a run at a vital stage and didn’t have the best of luck. He is drawn to gain a prominent position so he is worth another chance. The Julie Douglas trained pacers OWEN THE SAINTS (2) and BIG RIG SAINT (5) both performed well enough in their heat performance to suggest they should go well. TIVOLI (6) is a smart horse when racing at her peak form and will be fitter from her first up fifth so she is not without a chance. 

SELECTIONS: USYK (8), SHOTINTHEDARK (3), OWEN THE SAINTS (2), BIG RIG SAINT (5)

SUGGESTED BET: USYK (8) to win

OVERVIEW: CEE CEE LOU (1) is a fast beginner and was very brave in defeat last week, where he did all of the work in the run and was beaten on the line. He is a good chance of holding the lead from the pole position and will take beating. KEAYANG SEASIDE (7) is a promising gelding, which has won three of his five starts to date. He settled in the second half of the field and picked up ground when a close fourth at Hamilton last outing so he is worth an investment. MIKI STEAMED HOME (9) produced a very tidy performance when second in strong grade at the trials before being unplaced at his first run for trainer Matthew Craven. He has ability and is worth another chance. SERENE ROCK (11) is racing in peak form having had two wins and two seconds from his past four starts. He finished off well from a rearward position when an eye-catching second at Bendigo last outing.

SELECTIONS: CEE CEE LOU (1), KEAYANG SEASIDE (7), MIKI STEAMED HOME (9), SERENE ROCK (11)

SUGGESTED BET: CEE CEE LOU (1) to win

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG KURKI (10) is a smart horse when racing at her peak form and will be fitter for two recent trial performances. She was unplaced in the New South Wales Oaks two starts ago and she defeated a reasonable field by a comfortable margin at Geelong prior. AMOUR MATERNAL (8) is awkwardly drawn but she possesses a strong finishing burst and is a chance of completing a hat trick of wins. She came from a long way back when she scored in reasonable time at Bendigo last outing. SISTA EVARISTA (7) secured successive victories at Bendigo in April prior to finishing fifth at her next three attempts. She didn’t have much luck at Kilmore last outing and she has the ability to figure in the finish. FROSTY GIRL (9) is resuming since being unplaced in the Wangaratta Cup back in March. She is a speedy mare and will be fitter for several recent trial performances so she is not without a chance.

SELECTIONS: KEAYANG KURKI (10), AMOUR MATERNAL (8), SISTA EVARISTA (7), FROSTY GIRL (9)

SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG KURKI (10) each way

OVERVIEW: MYNAMEISRUBY (8) follows out behind the fast beginner SPUN SILVER (1) and most of her best efforts have been when she has been able to use the sprint lane so she looms as a winning threat. SPUN SILVER (1) attempted to lead throughout when a close up second behind Freak Out at Kilmore. That was her best run this preparation and she should be in front for a long way again. NOTHING SWEETER (9) led throughout when an easy winner at Charlton then endured a tough run at Hamilton. She strikes a suitable assignment and should run a good race from the trailing draw. NOBLE JULIA (4), THE MAJORS GIRL (5) and ALCATRAZ GIRL (6) are all capable of showing up without surprising.

SELECTIONS: MYNAMEISRUBY (8), SPUN SILVER (1), NOTHING SWEETER (9), ALCATRAZ GIRL (6)

SUGGESTED BET: MYNAMEISRUBY (8) each way

OVERVIEW: POLLY PEACHUM (2) hasn’t been at her best form this preparation but she strikes a very suitable field and she should be able to find the lead comfortably from her good draw so she gets her chance to bounce back into winning form. FULLOFFIGHT (6) settled midfield and held his own when third behind Madam Reactor at Shepparton last outing. He possesses early speed and races best when he is close to the speed so a bold showing is expected. TASMA FLASH (1) and UP AND ABOUT (8) are both drawn to follow the markers behind a genuine front runner in POLLY PEACHUM (2) so they should get their chance to excel via the sprint lane. BETTER BLUE BOYS (7) has a tough draw to overcome but he did well after racing without cover last outing so he is not without a chance.

SELECTIONS: POLLY PEACHUM (2), FULLOFFIGHT (6), UP AND ABOUT (8), TASMA FLASH (1)

SUGGESTED BET: POLLY PEACHUM (2) each way

OVERVIEW: BROTHER MOUNTAIN (3) was runner up at his latest trial performance and appears to have some ability. He is out of a Group 1 winning mare and is drawn to be competitive first up. GLORIFIED (5) backed up some handy trial form with a creditable third behind the smart filly Aldebaran Jasmine at Bendigo. He should have benefited from the experience and is worth an investment. JILLIBY AURA (7) is a first starter for trainer Antti Ruokonen, which was placed in a recent Terang trial performance and must be kept safe. COOPER KAI (2) ran a strong race for third at Melton last outing and has claims along with WHAT A SERVE (8), which had little luck as favourite at Bendigo last outing.

SELECTIONS: BROTHER MOUNTAIN (3), GLORIFIED (5), JILLIBY AURA (7), COOPER KAI (2)

SUGGESTED BET: BROTHER MOUNTAIN (3) each way

OVERVIEW: HOPPY (5) finished off fast when an eye-catching third behind Alrighty in a slick mile rate of 1.57.6 last outing. He is a versatile trotter and should be at his peak form after having two starts back from a break so he looms as the horse to beat. JOHNS BOY (7) is a standing start specialist and has done well since coming from New Zealand. He missed out narrowly behind Mielicki at Kilmore last outing and moves forward from the handicap of 30m to the 10m mark tonight so he must be considered as a winning chance. GEE CEE CALDER (8) is a brilliant beginner from the standing start and has been performing well at the trials so he can go well on his Victorian return. HATCHBACK (6) has been down on form but will appreciate a decent drop back in class for this assignment and A TRUE STORY (3) gets his chance to run a better race from the front line.

SELECTIONS: HOPPY (5), JOHNS BOY (7), GEE CEE CALDER (8), HATCHBACK (6)

SUGGESTED BET: HOPPY (5) to win

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG FRANCISCO (6) competed against the open class at Melton last outing so she appears to be extremely well placed against this class. She was a comfortable winner at Horsham three starts ago. JESSICAS STORY (5) is a brilliant beginner and performs best when she is able to lead out then take cover so she is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern. She was runner up behind Coconut Mickey when she trailed the leader at Maryborough on June 18. ALLWATFUNJINGLES (7) was heavily supported and battled on well over the latter stages when fourth behind Keayang Brandy on Thursday. He is widely drawn but is usually competitive against this class. SUNNY MAJESTY (2) ran a sharper race when fourth behind Rakero Warrior last outing and is worth a ticket each way.

SELECTIONS: KEAYANG FRANCISCO (6), JESSICAS STORY (5), ALLWATFUNJINGLES (7), SUNNY MAJESTY (2)

SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG FRANCISCO (6) to win