The spring carnival continues with the midweek running of the 2015 Bendigo Cup. Once again we have some great horse racing tips from Tim's Tips, and will all racing season, so make sure to read on and keep returning to Before You Bet for more tips.
2015 Jayco Bendigo Cup 2400m
Not a bad field assembled for the Group 3 Bendigo Cup on Wednesday, and understandable given the $300k prize money on offer. However, the field looks a bit thinner than recent years given the strength of the Geelong Cup last week as well as the Moonee Valley Cup on the weekend. The weather looks to be warm and sunny and the track will undoubtedly be in the Good range, and the track should play very fairly as it normally does at Bendigo. There looks to be a solid tempo with the likes of Wexford Town, Leebaz, Araldo Junior and likely leader Thunder Set all front running types. The race should suit those taking sits behind the tempo and the big track of Bendigo should give every runners its chance.
THE OFFER: The Group 1 Sydney Cup winner has been racing in reasonable form in races of similar strength but he looks to be crying out for a wet track. The 2400m suits him but with the ground expected to be around the Good 3 mark, it may just be that little bit too firm, especially carrying the top weight of 59kg. Can run into a place.
LEEBAZ: Comes out of a couple of good form races, the most recent of which he finished 3rd behind Stratum Star over 2000m. Steps up to 2400m for the first time in his career but being by Zabeel that should suit him. He will have to come across from the wide barrier and if he manages to get some cover he could definitely go close.
KIRRAMOSA: Her first three runs of the preparation were outstanding and after struggling over the mile last start she finally steps out sharply to her much more favoured distance of 2400m. Gets in very well at the weights and draws to get a lovely run. The sharp step up in trip could bring about sharp improvement. Looks a good chance.
MAYGROVE: Solid in his last couple of runs in some pretty strong races. Last start finished 5 lengths behind Almoonqith in the Geelong Cup but it was a reasonable run and he normally peaks several runs into his preparation. He's now had 4 starts this prep so he really should be ready to peak, especially after three runs at 2400m. The one week back up from last week's Geelong Cup suggests he is going very well, and the key factor is Kiwi jockey Matt Cameron flying over for the ride. He's had five rides on this horse for 3 wins and 2 placings. All factors seem to suggest he is ready to fire and he could be a bit of value around $6.50.
TOOLEYBUC KID: Another one that generally takes a few runs to hit his straps and this will be his fourth run back from a spell. He should be working home over the 2400m but a few of these horses are probably a class above him and a win would surprise.
KAREEMING: Was freshened up slightly and dropped back in distance to 2000m last start and just missed. Steps back up to 2400m and there's no question he will run the distance so from the good gate he is a decent roughie.
ARALDO JUNIOR: Big improver last start and the money came to suggest he was going to run well. He took up the running and was probably aided by the firm ground as well as the step up in distance. That was his 3rd run in Australia and he has won up to 2800m in Germany so the step up to 2400m should pose no problem. Won't get as easy a lead as he had last start but he remains on the minimum weight and could very well win again.
WEXFORD TOWN: Won in Adelaide two starts back when he beat the well-fancied Stablemate. Returned to Melbourne last start to compete in the Group 3 Bart Cummings but finished well back in the field. This is probably an easier task than that there looks to be a bit of tempo here which might work against him. I can't see him winning.
DIVAN: Has only had 5 starts in his career for 2 wins and 2 placings and he looks to be one of the more progressive horses in the race. Won well over 2000m at Pakenham last start and he drops right down in the weights from that win. Draws the inside barrier so should get a nice run although he tends to settle midfield so he may have trouble getting a run initially. Damien Oliver sticks with him and he looks a decent chance, but first time at 2400m against some good horses is the concern.
SAVANNAH MOON: Finished 2nd to Divan last start, beaten a length. The winner gets another 0.5kg in his favour here and its hard to see her turning the tables on him. Draws wide in barrier 10 and while the 2400m might suit her she looks to be outclassed.
THUNDER SET: Put two wins together in country NSW before heading to a midweek race in town last start. He was comfortably beaten there but it was on a soft track which he's shown a disliking to. Firm ground here suits but has never placed from 5 runs over this distance. Opened 500/1 and is now at 200/1 if you fancy it!
Summary
Decent race and as aforementioned there seems to be a decent enough tempo so those that normally enjoy getting it their own way up front might not get it as comfortably today. I refer to horses such as Leebaz, Wexford Town, Araldo Junior and Thunder Set, and it will be interesting to see if they choose to press on from out wide with Leebaz or look for a bit of cover. Either way, I'm looking at the horses taking sits just off the speed and enjoying a solid tempo. MAYGROVE looks to get that kind of run from barrier 4, and historically he tends to peak around this time of his prep. His Kiwi jockey flies in for the ride and the 7 day back up suggests he's going well. Good each way chance. KIRRAMOSA was flying before last start and she's been crying out for a step up in trip. Rises sharply to 2400m here and that should see her improve. DIVAN has plenty of upside and he steps up to 2400m for the first time, while KAREEMING looks a decent roughie given the run he maps to get.THE OFFER could be looking for a wet track and he won't be getting that here.
1st MAYGROVE
2nd KIRRAMOSA
3rd LEEBAZ
4th DIVAN
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
