Bendigo
Race 2 – Equatori
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1000m – Barrier 4
Resuming filly Equatori lines up for her first race start this calendar year when she takes on a 1000-metre sprint at Bendigo today. The Toronado three-year-old has impressed in two recent jumpouts, sailing through heavy conditions to win heats at Donald and St Arnaud, albeit in modest times. She gets a heavy track again today and the stable are hoping for a better raceday performance than she’s shown in her two previous raceday outings. Jockey Madison Lloyd leaves from barrier four and can land a lovely spot in behind the lead before peeling out to challenge in the run home.
Plenty of early speed as expected, with City Hustler and Overthrow to punch forward from good draws, while Motitsi will come across from out wider on the course. Others may roll forward with a long run to the bend from Bendigo’s 1000-metre chute. Good maiden with a host of chances. Lovin’ Bev has been sound at two runs this campaign and comes here third-up and fitter. She’s drawn to get a sweet run in behind the speed and looks one of the main hopes. Another galloper third-up is City Hustler, who has led and been run down in both synthetic runs this preparation. He stuck on better last start and could be in this for a long way with fitness on his side. A pair of interesting runners in Cavallo Rampante and Overthrow, both of whom have had extended periods away from the racetrack. The former was beaten five lengths in a Listed race on debut in October 2021 and hasn’t been seen on raceday since. She’s had a couple of quiet jumpouts in preparation for today. Overthrow was a beaten favourite in NSW on debut eleven months ago and has had a stable change in the interim. His recent jumpouts have been sound. Concede a chance to Motitsi who debuts for her new yard here.
Equatori has ability but hasn’t been able to showcase that on raceday as yet. She’ll appreciate the cut out of the ground today and appears forward enough to be more than competitive in this grade first-up. She can get a lovely run from a good draw and is a genuine each way chance in an open race.
Currently, Equatori is a $9.50 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 3 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Harry Coffey
1300m – Barrier 9
Rommel filly Berry Foxie is first-up for six months over 1300-metres at Bendigo this afternoon. Henry Dwyer’s three-year-old has had one career start, beaten for speed in a 1200-metre event but running home fairly in the concluding stages. Jockey Harry Coffey jumps from gate nine and will settle in the second half of the field again here, looking to pick up and run on in the home straight.
Medinah and South Gippy Lad will jump quickly from their respective draws and search for the front, while Star Olympias can use the inside to hold a forward position in the run. Tough race, with a log-jam at the top of the market. Bodhisattva ran on well at Werribee at a shorter trip and was strong past the line. With natural improvement he can go close here. Drawn for a plum run behind the speed. Firestorm Boy put in a plain one last start after a good effort when fresh. His first-up run is good enough to be competitive here. Medinah is knocking the door down for a win, just missing at Moe last start. Tricky draw but if he finds the front, will take running down. Star Olympas ran on strongly to win a recent jumpout. He’ll do no work in the run and can be a factor on debut. Three Jacks and Wellie Belle both finished runner-up last start and are in the each way mix again today. Something from left field could skittle the lot of them.
Berry Foxie will take improvement from whatever she does today, better suited out over more ground as her preparation progresses. That said, she’ll get her chance to run on late in the race and pick off a few in the home straight, the stable keen to see her hit the line strongly from back in the field. A watch and see today.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $67 chance in the market.