Bendigo
Race 4 – Elmore Lad
Jockey – Will Price
1300m – Barrier 4
Elmore Lad presents today third-up and fitter for racing when he steps out to 1300-metres at Bendigo. The eight-year-old gelding has been safely held at his two runs since returning to Victoria but his new stable are confident we’ll see an improved effort this afternoon. Jockey Will Price can find a spot outside the lead from a good draw and make his own luck out in front. Fixated jumps inside the Dwyer galloper and looks the main speed influence here, the Dabernig runner has been racing well and drops back from Saturday grade over the border. He and Victorine carry similar formlines into this, both with form around the impressive Marble Arch. Lady Hampton will start favourite after two very good runs in stronger company and she is the one to beat. Elmore Lad is fit and ready for today’s race and a top-four finish in this grade is not beyond his capabilities.
Currently, Elmore Lad is a $31 chance in the market.
Race 6 – Not Enough Effort
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 9
Seven-year-old gelding Not Enough Effort has his third start for Henry Dwyer today, staying at 1000-metres in the open spaces of Bendigo. The son of Reward For Effort will enjoy the drop in grade today after two good runs in better company this campaign. Jockey Mitch Aitken will roll forward from an outside barrier and sit up near the speed in a race that could be run at a strong tempo. Squad and I Am Geronimo have drawn next to each other on the inside and look the likely early leaders, while Tranquilite may go quickly from barrier eight and give the Dwyer runner a nice cart into the race. River Ribble was sound behind a talented quinella at Flemington last start, he’ll start favourite in this. Squad has claims returning from a spell, he led them up in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield in August, finishing within 4-lengths of Jacquinot and Aft Cabin. He’ll be hard to beat if he’s ready to go. Not Enough Effort brings strong form through Unflinching and Mamaragan to this, he’s fit and a top-three finish would not surprise today.
Currently, Not Enough Effort is a $12 chance in the market.
Race 7 – Kyteler
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 11
Shamus Award gelding Kyteler finds himself in stronger grade today following an encouraging run at Benalla last time out. He settled a long way back in a 1400-metre race there, making a wide run and finishing strongly into third place, making ground with every stride in the home straight. The four-year-old will appreciate the rise to a mile today but can’t afford to give another big start to tougher opposition this afternoon. Mitch Aitken will look to slot in midfield from an outside draw, the long straight run to the bend an advantage for those drawn wide at Bendigo’s 1600-metre start. James The Great has been good at this track his past two starts, just missing in a similar contest three weeks ago. Stay In Your Lane comes through the same race and will present fitter second-up for the in-form Hayes stable. They look hardest to beat, but conceding a chance to Artero in a very open race. Kyteler has struck a difficult race here and will need to be at his best to run into the prizemoney, but the stable have him fit and ready to perform this afternoon.
Currently, Kyteler is a $21 chance in the market.