Bendigo
Race 3 – I’m Exonerated
Jockey – John Allen
1300m – Barrier 7
Three-year-old galloper I’m Exonerated is second-up and fitter when he heads to Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Turn Me Loose was solid when fresh at Ballarat, racing without cover throughout to finish runner-up three weeks ago at 1200-metres. Up slightly in trip will suit, jockey John Allen can let his galloper roll early and find a position outside or just behind the speed approaching the home bend.
Not a huge amount of early speed in this, with Heofon likely to take advantage of a good draw and punch forward from the start, while Dazzling Sky can hold its position from inside that runner and settle handy in the run. Heofon has placed in all four runs this campaign and maps to get her own way in front today. She was entitled to drop out from a three-wide position on-speed last start but kept boxing on to the line, holding down second and taking ground off the leader/winner on the line. Stays at this trip and is the one they’ll all have to catch. Debutant Henlein has been well-supported into favourite on the back of a sound Mornington jumpout two weeks back. He was asked to extend late and chase from the back, running through the line strongly to suggest he’ll be ready to go first-up. Each way chances to Hoff is Enuff and Dazzling Sky, while Bigcat can improve up in distance here.
I’m Exonerated can enjoy a lovely run outside a predicted moderate tempo today and be right in the thick of things straightening for home. He’ll be improved from his first-up effort and appreciate the extra trip, no surprise to see him in the finish this afternoon.
Currently, I’m Exonerated is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 8 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1600m – Barrier 4
Consistent mare Friday At Five has had a short let-up between runs when she lines up at Bendigo this afternoon. The five-year-old daughter of Zoustar has been racing well in stronger company without winning of late, and gets her chance back to this level to notch another win today. In-form apprentice Jaylah Kennedy claims 2kg and can let her mare roll in the early parts, looking to control the race from the front and pinch a break in the home straight.
Wise Legend and African Pioneer jump from outside Friday At Five and may challenge for the top early on, while Djokovic gets blinkers on and could be sent forward from further out. Paris Shiraz has accepted and scratched from two races over the weekend on preference for today, likely looking for dry ground to show her best. If we end up on a drying surface by this stage of the day, she can make her presence felt late from a soft draw. African Pioneer was a good maiden winner two starts back before a solid effort in BM64-grade last time out. He was sound when chasing Cat Noir three starts ago, that’s good enough to go close today. Makalu was an easy winner in this grade a fortnight ago, no surprise to see him around the mark again today. Concede an each way chance to Wise Legend.
Friday At Five looks suited back to a mile with some freshness in her legs and can run the race to suit out in front today. She’s right back in grade from recent efforts and anything close to her best has her as the one to beat.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $5.50 chance in the market.