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.