Bendigo
Race 5 – Pressure Cooker
Jockey – Beau Mertens
2200m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old galloper Pressure Cooker is third-up and fitter when he rises to 2200-metres at Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Adelaide has been good at both career starts so far, running soundly at Swan Hill on debut before finishing well over a mile last time out. The rise in trip looks to suit and jockey Beau Mertens can get a soft run midfield from an inside alley.
Naval Aviator and Noyers have both drawn wide on the track and will roll forward in the early stages, with Trinity Raider likely to hold a prominent position from barrier one. This is a race of many hopes, indeed six runners are quoted in single figures. Kharma was unlucky not to finish closer at Warracknabeal last start, held up when others were making their runs around the bend. She didn’t exactly explode once clear but kept finding the line behind a subsequent city winner. She’ll get her chance today. Zed Leppelin finished alongside Kharma on that occasion before clipping heels and pulling up lame at Geelong. He deserves another chance today. Bold Jakkal improved sharply second-up, further improvement can see him make an impact here. Noyers has started favourite at two of his three career starts. His effort on the synthetic was good last start and he’s now at peak fitness. Must be considered a winning hope. Others with minor claims.
Pressure Cooker races like he’ll relish the extra ground today and will get a soft run throughout. He’ll be looking for galloping room approaching the turn and should get his chance to run on and chase the leaders. A nice, soft surface will suit him and he goes there with genuine claims.
Currently, Pressure Cooker is a $9 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 7 – Brungle Bertie
Jockey – Ryan Houston
2400m – Barrier 7
Giant steeplechaser Brungle Bertie has another tick-over run at Bendigo today, taking on benchmark-64 company over 2400-metres. The seven-year-old son of Canford Cliffs was excellent when last seen at the races, finishing runner-up behind Roland Garros in a strong 3450-metre chase at Warrnambool. Back to the flat today, apprentice hoop Ryan Houston can roll forward from a middle draw and sit outside the lead, giving the gelding a good hitout on soft ground.
Enzed Magic is likely to boot through from the start and hold the lead from barrier three, while Alovelybrownhorse may roll across from out wide. Many chances in this. Jukila has plenty in his favour today, drawing ideally at a track he enjoys racing (7:2-2-0). Soft conditions suit and he’s hard fit now. He has strong each way claims. Hot Suspect looks close to a win, finishing runner-up in this grade last start. Out to this trip should suit and he’ll be strong late. Enzed Magic led from start to finish on debut over 2060-metres and will make his own luck on speed here. But ten weeks between runs? Guido and Way Up High finished alongside each other at Geelong last start in benchmark-58 company. Guido a touch unlucky not to finish closer on that occasion but not much between them. Concede a chance to Rathmacarthy who was a maiden winner last start. Lines up for his third career start here and has some upside. Open race!
Brungle Bertie has bigger things in mind over the obstacles later in his campaign but will benefit from the run today. He’ll be getting warm as the finishing post looms and could sneak into the top six. Connections keen to get him on the float and safely home.
Currently, Brungle Bertie is a $15 chance in the market.