OVERVIEW: Very, very difficult way to start the card at Bendigo, with a wide-open trotting event where it’s possible to make a case for all of the runners. The speed map is also difficult, with plenty of the horses drawn off the front liking to run the gate. That said, I’ll side with MAC FLICK (5) based off his big win at Maryborough on January 4 and his subsequent effort in good company behind Vytis on Shepparton Cup night. He made a quick dash up to the leader at the corner and then plugged away to be beaten 5.9m in what was a solid performance. That was a better race than this and he can win with the right trip. SEBASTIANS WAITING (10) has made mistakes in his last two, but it’s hard to forget his come-from-behind victory at Ballarat prior when he chased down Quirky Character, who has run second and won twice since! Big player if the manners are in check. ROMANTIC NINA (11) was incredible winning despite galloping approaching the turn last start at Maryborough, while ABBIE (7) was held up at Melton last week and had great form prior.

OVERVIEW: A tricky little event here where I’m expecting pole-marker CROCODILE BLOOD (1) to have the gate speed to lead. He’s a 22-start maiden, but has been running some brave races of late and looks to get a great chance from the good draw. If the map is right, SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (8) gets the opportunity to run down the leader in the straight. He’s only had the two career starts, with his latest being a strong-finishing third to Korengal Valley at Maryborough. Definite chance. MYSTIC MOTIVER (9) has been runner-up in her two starts to date and clearly has a good chance here, FIVE CENT (11), IMAGUNNARESTNGO (2), SUMMER SCHOOL (4) and ONYX (13) have claims, while six-year-old first-starters WILBEE DUNN (6) and PHURPHY (7) are interesting runners and markets should be monitored despite nothing incredible at the trials.

OVERVIEW: BREATHE EASY (2) has been in great form since joining the Basil Dooley stable, with his last-start effort very impressive when coming from back in the field to run second to Midnight Mojo in a slick last half for this grade. There is some speed drawn outside him, but he looks a good chance of finding the fence and will be hard to beat. FINAL BOW (8) is a 32-time winner who heads here on the back of a runner-up placing at Maryborough, DIVINE TILLY (10) had to do it tough from the chair last start but hit the line well for third the two runs prior and looks one of the key chances off the back row, while MAJORS CREEK (6) might be next best.

BACK: BREATHE EASY (2) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Fancied REALLY REALLY (10) last weekend at Cranbourne, and he was hammered in early betting but gave backers no chance when he galloped at the start. It was his first run since May 2024 and followed a strong Ballarat trial, where he led up and dashed home a 57.6 last half to hold off the handy Emma Stewart runner Meteor Moth, who is a winner of eight races from 14 starts. Think we have to go again. Had trouble splitting he and FEEL THE REIGN (9), who finally broke through for victory at Ballarat last week after a number of eye-catching runs prior. He’s a great winning chance here. The other contenders are headed by SPEEDY HEALY (4), TOPHUT JOHNY (6) and MISS PIGGY WIGGY (3).

OVERVIEW: Bit of speed off the front here with MUSSEL SHOALS (1), REIGN EM IN (2) and OLLIES MEDAL (4) regular gate runners. Given the expected early tempo, I’m happy to play MICHEN ROY (8) from inside the back row. He was very brave sitting parked and winning two starts back at this track and carved out some decent times in front last time when grabbed late by LORIMERMAJOR (9). He’s going well and I’d be surprised if he didn’t go close with even luck. There’s plenty of depth in this event, though, with four horses having been victorious at their latest outing. BETATHANABOUGHTONE (6) was way too good for LORIMERMAJOR (9) and co at Shepparton last time and ran a cracker for second at Swan Hill before that, OLLIES MEDAL (4) might get across to the fence and prove hard to catch, while REIGN EM IN (2) can certainly figure.

OVERVIEW: JACCKA CONNOR (8) hasn’t won since May last year, but he’s going well and finds himself in a great grade of race here. All of his recent form is strong, with a last-to-third run behind Soho Darknstormy two back and a solid fourth to Timbimboo last Friday night. He’s capable of a quick dash and I’m very happy his way despite the inside back row draw. He appears the class. INTRUSION (6) won a heat and final of the GV Regional Pacing Cup and is chasing the hat-trick here, SPIRIT OF ANARCHY (9) made his Victorian debut with a second in the St Arnaud Pacing Cup during November, but didn’t show much in a recent trial for this first-up assignment, while SERENE ROCK (4) is performing well, and despite being too far back last time, still hit the line well.

BACK: JACCKA CONNOR (8) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: ODIN (4) was very good when first-up from a break at Melton last Friday, running to the chair at the bell and looking the winner at the turn. He ultimately wasn’t able to get past Timbimboo, but battled away bravely in slick time. He has good gate speed and might be able to power to the top here. From there, he’s the one to be on. ROYAL APPOINTMENT (5) looks ready based off a super fourth at Cranbourne last weekend when he settled last and charged home out wide to be beaten just 5.3m by My Little Bo, who had it easy in front. Very wary of him. HUGO ROCKS (3) is running consistently of late, as is BIZZNESS CLASS (6) who showed a stunning burst of speed to win from last on the fence at Charlton on January 19.

OVERVIEW: What a great opportunity here for SUZYS DREAM (8), who is looking to break through after three-straight runner-up placings. Her latest effort was a sizzling finale from three back the pegs in the GV Regional Trotters Cup final at Shepparton where she just missed at big odds. That was a significantly better race than this and she is clearly on top. BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (2) hasn’t done much this preparation but can improve sharply if her manners are in check, while WHATS THE TEA (7) is a tough customer who beat a few reopposing rivals last time at Maryborough, including MACHO MAORI (5) who didn’t have much clear room in the straight and can figure in the placings.

BACK: SUZYS DREAM (8) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: PIPALICIOUS (6) has run three placings this campaign and just needs to trot safely here to be a great chance of winning her first race at start six. She made mistakes and produced big efforts at Maryborough to start the preparation, then looked the winner last time at Kilmore but just couldn’t get past Spirited Gigi. There was a whopping margin back to third there. Of the exposed form, it’s hard to see any rivals beating her, but stablemate PARDRAY (4) has been okay in his two career runs and can perhaps complete a David Van Ryn quinella. BIG RAIN (2) won a Bacchus Marsh trial recently and beat home MOONLIGHT BILLY (1) in the process, so must be respected from the Alison Alford yard.

BACK: PIPALICIOUS (6) – 3 units (win)

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** 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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The odds quoted on the fields page are a Goodform computer generated price based on a range of key form factors and are not necessarily the odds that may be offered by a licenced bookmaker.