Bendigo
Race 3 – Three Reel Roses
Jockey – Declan Bates
1500m – Barrier 7
Highland Reel filly Three Reel Roses is second-up and fitter when she heads to Bendigo this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper had jumped out well before a plain effort on debut, but comes here better for the experience and suited out in trip. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from towards the outside and can let his filly settle where comfortable, likely in the first half of the eight-horse field.
Speed comes from Parissident in gate six, while expect Shockletz to use the inside alley to hold a forward position throughout. This galloper was runner-up on debut at Ballarat a fortnight ago, crossing the line half-a-length in front of All Kinds Of Folk, who was fourth in the Group-2 Edward Manifold at Flemington yesterday. This is simply the strongest formline coming in and makes her the clear one to beat. Perrenial placegetter Spiritual Thinker ran on well in a leader-dominated affair at Donald three weeks ago and presents fitter second-up today. She’s won a jumpout between runs and draws to get a lovely trail in the run. No surprise to see her thereabouts again. Upforthechallenge next best.
Three Reel Roses will be better for her debut effort and improvement is expected today. If Bates can get her to settle in the run with cover, she’ll have the chance to run on in the home straight and finish in the top four.
Currently, Three Reel Roses is an $81 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 8 – Eddystone
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 10
Ex-Japanese galloper Eddystone lines up for his Australian debut at Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Heart’s Cry has been sound in a pair of recent jumpouts, and straight to a mile on a big track looks an ideal way to kick-off his preparation. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from the outside gate in a field of ten and can find cover in the second half of the field, looking to finish off late in the home straight.
The race shapes to be run at a genuine tempo, with all of Brungle Creek, Morryl Moral and Netanyahu to roll forward from the middle of the line, while expect Gin O’clock to use the inside alley to hold a prominent position in the run. Resuming galloper Sure had two starts in his debut campaign, winning on both occasions at this distance and doing so with authority. He’s jumped out well leading in and strong market support suggests he’s ready to go. Hardest to beat. Morryl Moral had been racing well before going way too hard in front at Sandown last start and dropping right out if it late. He can bounce back today with a kinder run. Each way claims. So too Netanyahu, who didn’t have the best of luck when caught wide last start. Blinkers go on for the first time here. Gin O’clock next best.
Eddystone finds a suitable race for his local debut today, on a track where every runner generally gets their chance to run well. There looks good speed in the race, giving him the opportunity to balance up and hit the line strongly from the second half of the field. He’ll be better for the run, but look for him to be closing late.
Currently, Eddystone is a $46 chance in the market.