Bendigo
Race 5 – Our Destrier
Jockey – Harry Coffey
1600m – Barrier 1
Zoustar gelding Our Destrier stays in benchmark-70 company today when he heads to Bendigo to race over a mile. Dwyer’s six-year-old was very good two starts back at Sandown when running on from the back to finish within three lengths of the winner before an okay effort at his home track last start. It was beneficial to be nearer the speed that day so best to forgive the margin and the stable are keen for him to bounce back this afternoon. Jockey Harry Coffey leaves from an inside gate and will look to settle forward in a race without a stack of speed. Kwoi Hoi sits at the top of the market here following good performances at The Valley and Moe. He finished alongside Our Destrier at Ballarat last time out when he didn’t have the clearest passage home from the back and is likely to settle rearward again from an outside draw. He can win but he’ll need luck. It’s Tornado Storm peaks third-up on the back of a strong effort at this track last start. He can settle midfield and Kwoi Hoi will find it hard to get past him. Thorin is a likely improver second-up and down in grade, he’ll make his own luck on speed. Our Destrier has been building well this preparation and if he can run up to his effort at Sandown three weeks ago he’ll find himself right in the tick of things here. A winning hope.
Currently, Our Destrier is a $4.80 chance in the market.
Race 7 – Elmore Lad
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1300m – Barrier 4
Eight-year-old galloper Elmore Lad returns to Bendigo today following a much improved effort at this track and trip last start. The Dr Doute’s gelding drops back from benchmark-64 grade there, where he settled behind the leaders and ran well to finish fourth in a fast-run race. Mitch Aitken will look for a similar run today from a good draw, hoping to find the back of Battaglia who will cross from out wide and sit outside likely leader Eitilt. Darci’s Debut was very good winning here first-up. The rise in distance looks to suit her and a repeat effort has this runner as the one to beat. Opposing is third-up for Team Hayes and ran a better race in this grade last start while Thesecondatportsea will enjoy a drop in class here for Danny O’Brien. Elmore Lad has won three from six at this track and distance and is drawn to get all the favours today. He finds himself in a competitive – yet winnable – race and with even luck can be fighting out the finish.
Currently, Elmore Lad is a $12 chance in the market.