OVERVIEW: Great race to start Bendigo Pacing Cup night, with the emerging CALEXICO (7) the on-top selection for me. He has been well supported in early betting and I can see why. He was a good winner from the front at Melton last time out – beating the smart Smoken Ace – and I fancy he will be driven aggressively to find the front here. From there, he’s hard to run down. LOUIE LOU I (6) broke through for a long-awaited victory at Cranbourne last weekend and I think he will again find the pegs so is a key danger, the very classy JILLIBY WILLOW (10) heads to the races for the first time since late 2024 and has tuned up nicely at the trials for this, while MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (8) has big wraps from trainer Andy Gath and was exceptional winning first-up at Melton.

BACK: CALEXICO (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Tricky little race this with a number of winning chances, but leaning towards the in-form PESCI (10) for the McNaulty brothers and James Herbertson. He won a couple in-a-row before a good dash home from last for second to Alot Like Louie and then had no chance from out the back in a hot race behind Calexico latest. This is much more suitable and he should be storming home late. DO IT (3) is a lightly-raced five-year-old who performed really well through the Vicbred Super Series and looks a great chance after a little freshen-up, AMPHIJET (11) is airborne at the moment and produced a stunning win from last at Geelong last time out, while EARL OF PEMBROKE (8) is very capable in this type of grade but has a tricky gate to contend with.

OVERVIEW: FREIGHT SHAKER (8) has hit a purple patch of form, winning his most recent two starts. Last weekend, he was held up behind the galloping TICTOK (2) and got clear to easily run down NAKEDTRUTH (9), who got a break on him at the top of the straight. He’s the clear pick, but needs a good drive from Chris Svanosio from inside the back row. NAKEDTRUTH (9) was very good last weekend off the fence and can win, MAJESTIC TOOTH (1) is going well and draws for a nice trip, while TICTOK (2) would be right in this at her best, but manners are often a problem. MITCHELL WRAP (10) is next best.

BACK: FREIGHT SHAKER (8) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: An open trotting event where there’s not too much form to get overly excited about, but I liked the way OX KNOX (5) won two starts back at Cranbourne. He beat Charleston Avenue into third there and that horse has scored since. His effort last time out on Sunday at Maryborough was also good despite galloping turning for home and he did well to finish fourth. I assume he will be driven confidently and will take plenty of beating. SETTLE THE BILL (9) rarely runs a bad race and is definitely a winning hope, MONTANA CHEVELLE (3) is shooting for three in-a-row and has gate speed, while DOSSIER (7) is dropping back in class and certainly wouldn’t shock despite having an issue last time.

BACK: OX KNOX (5) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Such is the brilliance of JILLIBY BALLERINI (11), she would very likely have started second favourite in the Group 1 Maori Mile had connections decided to head that way. But instead they target the Group 3 Bendigo Trotters Cup, where the five-year-old stablemate to Keayang Zahara looks close to a good thing. She warmed up for this with an easy win at Cranbourne last weekend and should overcome her 30m handicap without any issues. GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (6) is fancied to run second given his really strong recent form, good stand start manners and lack of a handicap, PINNIE (10) is classy but only gets a 10m advantage on JILLIBY BALLERINI (11), while MORE WANTED (7) heads a stack of chances for the minor end of the trifecta and First 4 placings.

OVERVIEW: Intriguing edition of the Bendigo Pacing Cup, which for the first time is being run over the mile trip. New South Wales-based KINGMAN (8) is the new kid on the block at Grand Circuit level and heads into this first-up assignment on the back of three-straight Group 1 wins, including the Victoria Cup in October and New Zealand Cup in November. He is in awesome form and he’s fancied to overcome the inside back row draw to prevail. CATCH A WAVE (2) was super at the trials on Tuesday, is a Miracle Mile winner over this trip and I fancy he’s got the speed to lead. He can give a great sight. PETRACCA (1) is an emerging talent and has the draw to contend, BULLETPROOF BOY (9) is the defending champ and will be storming home late in his bid for a 51st career win, while HI MANAMEISJEFF (2) won the Sunshine Sprint at his last start and is a great chance should he cross to the fence at the start.

OVERVIEW: The Group 1 Maori Mile has this year been boosted to a record $100,000 in prizemoney and it has drawn megastar mare KEAYANG ZAHARA (3) as she goes in pursuit of the $500,000 Summer of Glory bonus for any trotter who can win four of the big features across the series, including the Great Southern Star Final on February 14. She’s a good thing’s price and deservedly so as defeat here would be an almighty shock. Defending back-to-back champion ARCEE PHOENIX (5) is the key danger and he is first-up from a flop in the Dominion Handicap across the Tasman in November, with IM BOBBY (8) and ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6) the other leading contenders in what is now a small field of six.

OVERVIEW: Noting a little ownership share in INTO THE HARKNESS (2) and I think she’s got a great chance in this event. She was badly held up on New Year’s Eve and got clear late to run fourth in what was a good performance. She’s no star, but might have the speed to lead and should run well. EMMA ROX (4) won a $20,000 race last time out and rates as a key chance, stablemate WAZOWSKI (3) is knocking on the door for a win after being nailed in the shadows of the post last start at Charlton, while KEAYANG OMAR (7) takes the place as fourth pick given the scratching of LINE DANCE (8).

OVERVIEW: Looks a great race for DESSIE GEE (3) to land his first win since August. He worked hard early when leading last time out and was only beaten 6.6m to the smart My Ultimate Barney. He has been mixing it in better races than this of late and looks the early leader. Keen on his chances. MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (5) won well at Mildura last time and this is an easier assignment than some of his recent battles, JACCKA CONNOR (1) gets the nice draw to figure in the placings, and HUGO ROCKS (7) and SHADOW CELT (2) might be next best.

BACK: DESSIE GEE (3) – 3 units (win)