Bendigo
Race 2 – Peaceful Protest
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 12
Resuming galloper Peaceful Protest kicks off his campaign over a mile at Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Raise The Flag had three starts in his debut preparation, performing soundly at his first two before being sent to the paddock as a beaten favourite at Murray Bridge. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from an outside gate today and will be forced back in the early parts, looking to finish off in the home straight.
No out-and-out leaders here, which likely leaves Early Warning and Bogues to punch forward and hold prominent positions from the inside, while Juliette’s Joy can look to roll across and settle forward in the run. Proshow gets blinkers second-up following a strong closing effort at Werribee on debut. He can be more forward in today’s contest and out to 1600-metres looks ideal. Must be considered. Early Warning was solid first-up when placing behind Dios at Kyneton and strips fitter for that run today. She’s drawn to find the top and won’t need to work hard to find it. Will be in this for a long way. Dougal McKeen should get a soft trail behind the speed and is ready for a mile third-up, while Bogues was less than four lengths from Caracas when fresh at Pakenham. Both with each way claims.
Peaceful Protest was sound in a recent Ararat jumpout, coursing wide and running to the line nicely in preparation for today’s race. He’ll get back from the gate and do his best work late in the piece, taking benefit from the run and improving over more ground next start. Look for him to finish off.
Currently, Peaceful Protest is a $41 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 4 – Il Bello Beals
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1300m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old galloper Il Bello Beals makes his racetrack debut over 1300-metres at Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Rubick was plain in a Cranbourne trial three weeks ago, but showed good improvement in a recent Ararat jumpout and looks ready to face the starter today. Jockey Mitch Aitken has drawn well in barrier three and will let his gelding find his feet, settling where comfortable in the run.
Porter will roll forward from a middle barrier and challenge for the lead early on, while expect Our Emmbar and Doncic to be right there with him approaching the home bend. Inexorable raced wide throughout at Kyneton when fresh a fortnight ago, narrowly missing when still making ground on the line. He’s drawn much better today and can box-seat behind the speed, enjoying run of the race before staking his claim in the run home. With even luck, he looks hard to beat in this. Doncic never got a crack at them after tracking the leaders on debut in September, held up on the rail when having plenty to give late. He can go close with a change of fortune. Each way chances to Porter and Samurai who are first-up today having shown ability in previous campaigns.
Il Bello Beals jumped out well in blinkers a fortnight ago and keeps the headgear on for today’s race. He’s drawn to find a nice spot in the run and present to challenge in the home straight. He’ll improve on whatever he does today, but no surprise to see a forward showing in this. Worth a small each way ticket.
Currently, Il Bello Beals is a $67 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 9 – Gaze Grise
Jockey – Ryan Houston
1300m – Barrier 11
Six-year-old mare Gaze Grise is down in class and up in trip for her 1300-metre contest at Bendigo this afternoon. The daughter of Puissance De Lune was solid when running third in stronger company at Colac three weeks ago, boxing on well behind an all-the-way leader at 1200-metres. Today is the mare’s first go beyond that distance in her career, apprentice hoop Ryan Houston looking to find cover midfield heading into the home bend.
Up front, Labhuku will punch forward from barrier two and look to hold the top early on, while Clavadatsch will want to lead or sit outside the lead from a middle draw. Labhuku was good at all three runs last time in and has jumped out well before resuming today. She’ll get every chance from the head of proceedings and can be in this for a long way. Murray Factor rises a couple of notches in grade but was an easy winner at this track/trip when fresh last start. Will be fitter second-up and drawn to get a soft camp on the leaders. Strong claims. These two look hardest to beat, but concede an each way chance to The Brill Building who comes back in grade following a sound effort at The Valley three weeks ago.
Gaze Grise is racing in good heart and the rise in trip looks to suit at this point of her preparation. She’ll need a pinch of luck to find her position early, but if she finds a favourable spot in the run, presents as a strong each way chance in this.
Currently, Gaze Grise is a $13 chance in the market.