Goodform Gameplan: Bendigo Saturday September 11

The dye for how difficult this entire night will be is cast right here in race one with most of them having some sort of chance. From a price perspective the value lies with DOT THE EYE (11). He is a good horse that can make a move if needed or be saved for one late sprint and if you rule a line through his last effort he’s as good a chance as almost anything so the $11 represents quality ‘overs’. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$15 Each Way DOT THE EYE (11) at $10 or better

Having spoken with Andy Gath on Burning Questions this week I’ve changed my mind about this event. If HES UNDER WRAPS (2) leads as easily as I expect and will return a better horse following the ultimate gear change – gelding – then he should run a time in front which makes it near impossible for his quality second row rivals. That being said, it’s a genuine three-horse race for mine and that means we can play a couple of different Tricks and still finish up in a good place. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Flexi Trifecta: 2/ 9,10/ 3,4,7,8,9,10: $20 gets 200% 

Flexi Trifecta: 9,10/ 2,9,10/ 3,4,7,8,9,10: $20 gets 100%

My preferred Map favours BRANDLO PRINCE (7) here but the more I look at the race the more I think there’ll be plenty going on so I’m siding with the bigger prices available about JACKSON SQUARE (9) and PANTZUP (11) here. I sense that Jimmy Herb and JACKSON SQUARE (9) get along and PANTZUP (11) will love it if they run along throughout. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$5 Win & $10 Place JACKSON SQUARE (9) & PANTZUP (11) at $14 or better

I don’t see any point in mucking around here. Yes, we could play exotics, but BONDI LOCKDOWN (6) is a class animal with everything in his favour and he simply looks the winner even with the equally classy MAJOR MOTH (7) also engaged. It is hoped that many took the $1.70 when available but, as they say, any price a winner. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$50 Win BONDI LOCKDOWN (6) at $1.50 or better

I was almost desperate to back SIRLETIC (13) after doing form for this amazing second-tier FFA and I still will, but only if he drifts to $6. Too much needs to go right for him to win at anything shorter than that even though I marked him $4. If you’re the type of punter that backs overs with every winning chance then KRAFTY BART (5) appeals at $7.50 but I’m sitting this one out for now and simply enjoying the spectacle. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Nothing significant (Confidence that the Exacta will come from numbers 5,6,10 & 13)

In absolute truth the best way to play tonight’s opening Group 1 is laying COVER OF DARKNESS (7) at $2.70. He’s a wonderful horse but he’s also never seen a standing start under race conditions and doesn’t present like the kind of horse who’ll love being stood still. On the other hand, MAJESTUOSO (13) is unbeaten over a long trip, the defending champ in this event and the best trotter in Oz. If you don’t play the exchange then just back little Maj straight out. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$40 Win MAJESTUOSO (13) at $2.30 or better

There’s every reason to back three runners in this newly elevated VHRC Caduceus Classic given how short GENERAL DODGE (6) now finds himself. MAX DELIGHT (2) is overs at $6.50 as is TRIPLE EIGHT (4) at $11. If you just want one horse to follow however, it must be WOLF STRIDE (7) at the price. As much as I respect all of the runners engaged here none have competed at Grand Circuit level the way he has and the $9 currently available seems wild. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$15 Each Way WOLF STRIDE (7) at $6 or better

For the purposes of transparency, I should reveal I’ve played WOULD YOU MIND (1) through parlays and multis when he was $5 on Thursday night. He is now $3.80 and that’s not as appealing so back him if you’re keen but concede you’re no longer getting serious value. I do think he’ll win and that precludes me from playing elsewhere though ICONIC MAJOR (12) who was tipped by the very astute Nikkita Ross on Friday’s Form Panel also looks tempting at $14 following an exceptional first-up performance. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Nothing significant (Confidence that WOULD YOU MIND (1) will win) 

Again, I’d be laying SOHO BROADWAY (3) at red figures as my first port of call here. She can win but there’s no way on God’s Green she should be odds-upon. I have personally launched into BOXOFCHOCOLATES (10) at $11 and there’s an argument that $5 is still pretty good about a horse with her talent who’ll be racing for tonight where her main rivals are targeting bigger fish but I’m now staying out and I only hope a few others found the $11 Thursday night as well. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Nothing significant (Confidence that BOXOFCHOCOLATES (10) will win) 

It’s never easy when you’re sick for a horse as you’ll follow them into some pretty dark spaces, but I genuinely believe this race was made for DENIS WILLIAM (1). On pure talent he’d murder this lot and from gate one he has the speed to lead if Simon Walker desires or can trail a horse like HEAVEN IN LOCKSLEY (2) and should salute either way. The $3.60 currently available is exceptional value and I expect he’ll salute. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$40 Win DENIS WILLIAM (1) at $2.60 or better

Nasty race to finish us off but happy to have a small Each Way play on REGULUS (1) at $8.50. He’s mixing and matching his form a little but should be shorter than his current quote by a fair margin so warrants an interest wager to close out a wonderful card. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$10 Each Way REGULUS (1) at $6.50 or better