Bendigo
Race 1 – Salsa Fellow
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1100m – Barrier 2
Blue Point gelding Salsa Fellow is first-up at Bendigo today, gaining a start from the 1100-metre chute. The two-year-old galloper had one start in his first campaign, in the market but well-beaten at Flemington on debut in January and immediately sent to the paddock. Two jumpouts this time in have been encouraging, and a better showing is expected around a bend today. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from an inside draw and will need to begin cleanly to hold a position early, looking to turn for home in the front half of the field.
Very tricky speed map with so many first-starters, but expect Let’sfacethemusic, Polygot and Peridot Star to hold forward positions from the outset, while Asmita showed speed to lead an win a recent Pakenham Synthetic jumpout and may roll forward from wider out on the course. Plenty to learn here. Let’sfacethemusic railed through and led upon resumption here a fortnight ago, engaging in a two-horse war when runner-up, beaten half-a-length. There was a big gap to the third-placed runner on that occasion, and any improvement from that run sees him as one of the main dangers today. Similar story Polygot, who was runner-up at Sale on debut. He was no match once headed y the winner but led for a long way, leaving four lengths to the rest. Fitter and with claims. Twin Engine was solid on debut in the aforementioned Flemington race and comes here first-up. No surprise to see her around the mark. Asmita and Legacy Bay can show up on debut.
Salsa Fellow strikes a wide-open race today but has the ability to mix it with these. His jumpout at St Arnaud was solid and if he can leave the gates on terms, he can be fighting out the finish. Each way claims.
Currently, Salsa Fellow is a $31 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 2 – Moaksun
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1100m – Barrier 1
Three-year-old galloper Moaksun looks to go one better than a last start runner-up effort at Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Akeed Mofeed has been sound in all runs this time in, attacking the line once clear over 1000-metres at Seymour three weeks ago. Blinkers are applied today, jockey Mitch Aitken will want to begin cleanly from the inside to hold the front and offer a kick turning for home.
Not a great deal of exposed speed in this, perhaps Socially Red and Flying Mean can roll across from out wide on the track, while Winsome Flowers will likely punch forward from the middle of the line with Alvin in the early stages. Flying Mean has been twice runner-up from four starts this campaign, and wasn’t far away in a strong 3YO BM64 behind Oak Hill when resuming. Sticky gate but plenty of time to get across from the chute start, one of the main dangers. Alvin won his most recent jumpout here by a space and looks a speedy type. Must be considered on debut on his home deck. Winsome Flowers placed at this track and trip first-up and presents fitter today, while Socially Red and Wavendon can show up without surprising.
Moaksun has jumped out well in blinkers since his last start and just needs to begin cleanly to give himself every chance today. He has the benefit race fitness/experience on a few of these and if he can settle in front, will be in this for a long way. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Moaksun us a $7.50 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 7 – Brungle Raider
Jockey – Alysha Warren
1600m – Barrier 3
Resuming stayer Brungle Raider kicks off his campaign over a mile at Bendigo this afternoon. The six-year-old son of Rebel Raider raced well without winning last preparation, and a recent jumpout at St Arnaud suggests the gelding has returned in good order. Apprentice hoop Alysha Warren rides from an inside draw and can find cover midfield, looking to finish the race off in a nod to further next start.
Speed is drawn out wide with Lord Domino and Sasqualah to roll forward in the early parts, while Tapa Capall may settle more forward today with blinkers going on. Vankula sets up for the soft vtrail behind the leaders and hits this fitter for three runs this time in. He hasn’t been far away in all three runs and out to a mile looks to suit today. Strong claims. Heavenly Eagle is back in grade today following a sound effort behind subsequent Flemington winner El Rocko last start. Rarely far away and expect his usual hoinest effort again here. Tapa Capall was good at this track and trip two starts back, while Sasqualah was too good in lesser grade over 1500-metres here a fortnight ago. Both with each way claims.
Brungle Raider will be better for he run today, likely finding a few of these too sharp at the 1600-metre trip. His first-up effort at this trip last campaign was solid, and a repeat effort could see him sneak into the top four today.
Currently, Brungle Raider is a $23 chance in the market.