Bendigo
Race 2 – Peaceful Protest
Jockey – John Allen
2400m – Barrier 2
Jumping prospect Peaceful Protest is fourth-up from a spell when he stays at 2400-metres this afternoon. The gelded son of Raise The Flag was good at Horsham two starts back before an even effort to finish third over this trip at Swan Hill last time out. Jockey John Allen takes the ride today and can be positive from an inside draw, able to land on or just behind the speed passing the winning post for the first time.
Odds-on favourite Quadratic will roll forward and look to control the race from the front, having just missed when runner-up at Geelong last start. She finished over five lengths in front of the third-placed horse that day, that runner has since come out and won its next start. In the money four times from five starts, though best efforts have been on rain-affected surfaces. Will get every chance from the front. Minor claims to Dynamic Deel and Whiskey Tango, who come through the same race at Benalla a fortnight ago. Leaning to the latter of that duo, who can play the stalking role on the favourite. Others look stretched.
Peaceful Protest was left a little flat-footed when the sprint went on last time out and will be better out and rolling today. He’s fitter for three runs this preparation and should be given every opportunity to show his best from up near the speed. Strong each way claims in a race that thins out quickly.
Currently, Peaceful Protest is a $4.20 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 5 – Imapagethree Girl
Jockey – Jarrod Fry
1100m – Barrier 8
Resuming mare Imapagethree Girl kicks off her campaign over 1100-metres at Bendigo this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Press Statement is unbeaten from two previous first-up attempts and comes here on the back of an impressive jumpout on the grass oat Ballarat. Jockey Jarrod Fry hops back aboard and contends with a sticky gate, though the long straight run to the bend gives every runner a chance to find their positions in the race.
Speed looks good with all of Funzelle, Golden Day, Enamour and Lacemaker to roll forward and challenge for the lead early, while no surprise to see Kaniva kick-up and hold a spot from the inside alley. Open race. Pretty Tavi draws to fin d the back of the leaders and enjoy a lovely trail in the run. She’s first-up on the back of a sound jumpout and rarely runs poorly. In the mix. Lacemaker is second-up after a sound effort when fresh at Pakenham. She has the speed to cross and lead the field, how the track is playing will be key to her chances. Funzelle raced in stronger company last campaign and her runner-up effort when fresh behind A Little Deep in October reads well for this. Another who will get their chance from up on speed. Hinata will appreciate a strong tempo after a fast-finishing maiden win at Bairnsdale four weeks ago. Up a few notches in grade here but will be making ground late. Minor claims to Kaniva.
Imapagethree Girl strikes a competitive race first-up today as she looks to keep her unblemished fresh record in tact. She can enjoy a nice run just off the speed and make her run in the home straight, proving hard to hold out assuming no on-speed bias. Best efforts have her right in this.
Currently, Imapagethree Girl is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 8 – Harbourmaster
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1500m – Barrier 9
Five-year-old galloper Harbourmaster is second-up and fitter when he heads to Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Cable Bay was sound in his first run for over four-hundred days at Ballarat, running fourth in a strung-out field behind a handy type. Up to 1500-metres is a positive, jockey Mitch Aitken to drift back in the early parts from a wide gate before presenting for his run in the home straight.
No out-and-out leaders in this, but expect Kathy’s Beau and Five Rings to race handy to the speed, while Esskay and Fox Appeal can use their inside draws to hold prominent spots early. Many with a hope. Fullproof will race in the second half of the field and looks suited out to a mile today. He’s unbeaten from two second-up attempts, his fresh effort good enough to suggest he’ll prove hard to beat again. In the mix. Esskay has finished within a length of the winner in both starts this campaign and looks ready for 1600-metres now. Drawn for a soft run and will be thereabouts in the finish again. Kathy’s Beau is a model of consistency and must be considered an each way chance, while Funnyifitwon has had a let-up since his last run and can pull out a run fresh. Tough end to the card.
Harbourmaster presents fitter from his first-up effort three weeks ago and will taken further improvement from the run today. He’s well-and-truly up to these, but after such a long break may take another run to find his best. Look for him late.
Currently, Harbourmaster is a $41 chance in the market.