Bendigo
Race 2 – McKinsey
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 4
Manhattan Rain gelding McKinsey is third-up and fitter when he heads to Bendigo this afternoon. Henry Dwyer’s four-year-old loomed up and looked the winner on the poly at Ballarat last start, hitting the lead in the home straight before getting lost and floating the last 100-metres. Jockey Mitch Aitken can tuck in with cover from a good draw here and save his run until the concluding stages of the race.
Speed comes from Timbolton out wide while Paululu may sit handy from an inside draw. A few chances in this, starting at the top with Albanian I Am who has been sound at two runs this preparation. He ran second at this track/trip last start with a big gap to third, the winner in better ground out wide. A similar performance sees him hard to beat today. Caledonian King was very good from the back at Geelong on debut a fortnight ago. That was at 1200-metres and the rise in trip looks to suit. Paululu and Laurion both in with an each way chance and there has been good support for the two-year-old debutant Hawksure.
McKinsey showed good improvement from his debut run to last start and further improvement will hold him in good stead for today’s contest. He simply hit the front too early at Ballarat and waited for other runners to catch up – Aitken will be mindful to have a bunny to chase in the home straight today to ensure his runner keeps going all the way to the line. McKinsey trialled well on heavy ground and if he handles the going today, he represents great value as an each way chance.
Currently, McKinsey is a $20 chance in the market.
Race 3 – Electric Impulse
Jockey – John Allen
1400m – Barrier 1
Stable newcomer Electric Impulse rises in distance for today’s contest on heavy ground at Bendigo. The Cable Bay filly was good from the tail when on debut for the Dwyer camp over 1200-metres, giving every indication she’s looking for the extra ground this afternoon. Jockey John Allen jumps from the inside alley and can be positive early, noting she won her only other second-up run when leading at Warracknabeal.
Early speed is drawn next door with Majestic Style resuming, while Southern Fire sat handy and won her last start in maiden grade. Galeka improved sharply when second-up last start and is drawn to get a soft run behind the speed. Her only start on a heavy surface resulted in a win and she was thrown into Listed company last preparation in the spring. She presents the main threat to the Dwyer runner here. Arachidi was running on strongly first-up over 1100-metres before getting chopped out and running to the line untested. Rise in trip suits and she could be the late closer at a price. Ex-kiwi Diamond Discovery creates interest but has shown little in her jumpouts. Last seen in a Group-3 over the Tasman so has ability.
Electric Impulse made many lengths from the rear at Ballarat first-up and is fitter for today’s event. John Allen sticks and will be closer in the run – if not leading – from the inside gate. Heavy ground presents no concerns and with even luck the Dwyer galloper looks the winner.
Currently, Electric Impulse is a $3.60 chance in the market.
Race 6 – Not Enough Effort
Jockey – Ben Allen
1000m – Barrier 4
Seven-year-old gelding Not Enough Effort heads to Bendigo following a sound fresh run at Mount Gambier last start. That race was over the 900-metre dash where he lumped a big weight and found a few too speedy, however he was strong through the line and an extra 100-metres will be more suitable today. Jockey Ben Allen will push forward from a good draw and look to hold the lead in the early stages.
As expected, plenty of early toe in this with Avid General to kick-up from the inside alley and Projeto going forward from the middle of the line. Noble Nightowl won’t be far away from out wide and has plenty of time to cross from the 1000-metre chute here. Plenty of chances in this sprint event, headed by Projeto who is straight out of maiden grade after easily winning on debut. He showed good speed on that occasion and will give them all something to chase in the home straight. Noble Nightowl wasn’t far away in a strong race at Swan Hill last weekend and loves heavy ground. He’s another who will be handy to the speed and drops in class for this. Superhard finished just in front of Noble Nightowl last start but where he settles from a wide draw will be key to his chances. Soobooma is first-up and generally races in stronger grade. Should get a soft run from a good draw and is another with a chance. And the chances don’t end there.
Not Enough Effort was far from disgraced when fresh and was two lengths from the winner in town when second-up last preparation. He’ll get his chance from the front and on his best efforts, is right in this. Go each way.
Currently, Not Enough Effort is a $19 chance in the market.
Race 6 – Hollerlujah
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 11
Talented filly Hollerlujah resumes at Bendigo today, where she won on debut in April last year. The three-year-old daughter of Holler was disappointing on face value last preparation, however was found to have an issue and was spelled in December. She looks to have returned well and the stable will be watching keenly this afternoon. Jockey Mitch Aitken will go back in the early parts from a wide gate and look to wind up and hit the line hard late in the piece.
As expected, plenty of early toe in this with Avid General to kick-up from the inside alley and Projeto going forward from the middle of the line. Noble Nightowl won’t be far away from out wide and has plenty of time to cross from the 1000-metre chute here, while Dwyer stablemate Not Enough Effort will be up on speed. Plenty of chances in this sprint event, headed by Projeto who is straight out of maiden grade after easily winning on debut. He showed good speed on that occasion and will give them all something to chase in the home straight. Noble Nightowl wasn’t far away in a strong race at Swan Hill last weekend and loves heavy ground. He’s another who will be handy to the speed and drops in class for this. Superhard finished just in front of Noble Nightowl last start but where he settles from a wide draw will be key to his chances. Soobooma is first-up and generally races in stronger grade. Should get a soft run from a good draw and is another with a chance. And the chances don’t end there.
Hollerlujah strikes a competitive race first-up and will improve on whatever she does today. She has the ability to win a race like this but condition may tell against some race-fit gallopers. She should find herself in good ground out wide and can run through the line late.
Currently, Hollerlujah is a $17 chance in the market.