Bendigo
Race 4 – Mckinsey
Jockey – John Allen
1500m – Barrier 4
Manhattan Rain gelding steps out at the races for the first time today over 1500-metres at Bendigo. The Henry Dwyer-trained three-year-old has been sound at the jumpouts, his latest effort against well-performed horses showing he’s ready to be competitive first-up. John Allen leaves from gate four and will look to settle forward in the run, either outside the lead or behind the leading pair. There looks to be good early speed in this with Transceltic and Sword Of Honour coming across from out wide with Hell Follows to kick-up underneath them. The latter has run well in all three raceday starts and falls into favouritism here, though doesn’t jump off the page as a must-back-me runner. That said, her exposed form is as good as any here. Party At Artie’s is a likely improver second-up after being just OK fresh. Drawn to get a nice run behind the speed and could have last crack at them in the straight. Reel Bonnie Lass has been sound at her two starts but drawing inside is a negative for her. Mckinsey strikes a race lacking depth here, only needing to run up to his exposed jumpout form to be in contention. While he’ll likely be better over more ground, he’s drawn to get a good run and with even luck won’t be far away at the pointy end. An each way chance.
Currently, Mckinsey is a $6 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 6 – Elmore Lad
Jockey – Jake Noonan
1600m – Barrier 2
Eight-year-old gelding Elmore Lad returns to his favourite track today looking to bounce back from some plain efforts in the past month. The son of Dr Doute’s hasn’t measured up to stronger grade since winning here four starts ago but will appreciate the rise in trip to a mile today. Jockey Jake Noonan has drawn gate two and will settle forward in the run, his gelding likely to enjoy the slower tempo this distance will offer. Miss Cheviots will come across from out wide and search for the lead while Mercian Hymn will hold a forward position from an inside draw. This is an open event. Ex-European galloper Mercian Hymn makes his Australian debut here on the back of a good recent jumpout win. You’d think he’ll be better over further but can’t discount him as a winning chance. Coyote was trending towards a win before pulling up with vet issues last start. On the strength of previous form he looks hard to beat here. Aoife is racing in great heart and may have been unlucky not to score last start. Miss Cheviots won in this grade last start but this has more depth. Plenty of chances in this! Elmore Lad will head to the paddock following this run and has an opportunity to collect some prizemoney along the way. He’s as fit as any runner in this contest and should get a nice run in transit. While his recent form has been down, he cannot be discounted around this circuit. In with an each way show.
Currently, Elmore Lad is a $27 chance in the market.
Werribee
Race 2 – Count Of Anjou
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 4
Three-year-old gelding Count Of Anjou debuts at Werribee today on the back of a solid jumpout at Ararat just over a week ago. He chased a couple of talented gallopers there and made a good account of himself on a wet track, giving every indication he’s ready to run well today. Mitch Aitken jumps from gate four and can take a sit behind the speed and work into the race approaching the home bend. Plenty of speed here as you’d expect in a sprint, with Penman and Xcessive Gamble to jump fast from the outside while Hughie will boot up from his inside barrier. Hughie has had a short let-up since being a beaten favourite at Stawell in February. His debut run prior to that was good and he should get a nice run from the inside. Meschever has been solid two runs back from a spell in stronger maidens. She’s drawn poorly but if she finds an early position is in with a chance. Penman hasn’t run a bad race and is another that must be considered. Xcessive Gamble just missed first-up on a heavy track, interesting to see if he can repeat that on a better surface. Count Of Anjou needs only to settle for Aitken in the run to give himself a real crack at these. The speed will be genuine and if he doesn’t overdo things can run on strongly late. An each way chance in an open race.
Currently, Count Of Anjou is a $17 chance in the market.