Bendigo, Wednesday 18 September

Form Analysis by Craig Rail

Race 1:

OVERVIEW: OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (6) won a heat of this series at Melton two starts ago then disappointed in his semi-final performance. He is an open class pacer so he appears to be very well graded against this line up and is clearly the horse to beat. He put together three wins in succession against strong opposition prior to his latest performance. LAYDEN (8) possesses a powerful finishing burst and has the perfect trailing draw behind ANOTHER NIEN (1) so he should land a handy position. He had little luck in his heat of this series then followed with a placed effort in a slick mile rate of 1.53.6. ANOTHER NIEN (1) was placed behind OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (6) in his heat performance and is drawn to suit his racing pattern so he looms as one of the leading chances. CLASSIC MISSION (9) battled on gamely for fourth in his heat effort and had little luck in his semi-final performance, where he was caught wide early and was forced to restrain to a rearward position. He has the perfect trailing draw and should go well under these conditions.

Race 2:

OVERVIEW:  STORMS COLLIDE (4) led throughout to defeat Go Miki in the opening round of the series then followed with a seventh in the semi-final won by Always Hot, where he was shuffled back in the field mid-race. He is likely to find the lead this evening and will take catching. HESITATE (11) has had a terrible run with the barrier draw and the trend continues this evening. He finished ninth in the semi-final but he was making ground late and his form throughout the season has been strong so he must be respected. PERFECT STRANGER (3) is a brilliant beginner and is a good chance of leading out then taking cover. He missed out narrowly from behind the leader in his heat and a repeat performance will see him going close to winning. BILLYS TIGER KHAN (1) is a place chance from the pole position. Other place hopes include COASTAL DRIVE (6), NO LUCK (8), TECHY CREED (9) and FORTY LOVE (12).

Race 3:

OVERVIEW: KOMODO (10) worked hard early then was shuffled back in the field mid-race when seventh in his semi-final performance after a creditable fourth in his heat. He won three races in succession including an event over 2650m at Bendigo prior so he must be respected. NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (2) will appreciate moving to the front line and should be ready to strike winning form after having two runs back from a break. He endured a tough run when coming from the back of the field when seventh behind Kingman last week. SPECTA (5) performs best when he is close to the pace and led throughout over the 1200m at Melton two starts ago. He should be prominent throughout from his reasonable draw. BROWNIESATMIDNIGHT (8) and DOUGS FLAME (9) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

Race 4:

OVERVIEW: LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (11) endured a very hard run early and wanted to hang out badly from the 1400m when unplaced in her semi-final performance. She was stood down to trial and subsequently won a trial at Melton on Tuesday so she is worth another chance. She would have been one of the favourites for the Final if she was able to qualify. ELUSIVE (6) is a fast beginner and attempted to lead throughout when third in the opening round of the series. She couldn’t lead early and eventually gained a trail when seventh in her semi-final performance so she looms as one of the leading chances now. The Emma Stewart trained pair VAGUE BEAUTY (9) and PERPETUITY (10) are both likely to be strongly fancied despite being drawn on the second line. ULTIMATE JOY (5) performed well at the trials last week and REMI LOU (7) was a very impressive winner at Kilmore on Thursday.

Race 5:

OVERVIEW: DELIGHTFULL TAMMY (1) is extremely well graded in this event considering her National Rating of 88 is 33 points higher than her nearest rivals! She had little luck from awkward barrier draws in the first two rounds of this series and she finished only eight metres behind the top mare Major Delight in an open class event prior so she must be respected. SWEETGAMBLINGROSE (6) is a fast beginner and prefers to race close to the speed. She raced without cover and scored at Yarra Valley three starts ago so she is not without a chance. CHIRRIPO (5) and SCHEMING (10) both performed reasonably well in the first two rounds of the series and a lot of the horses competing in this event didn’t contest a heat so they are worth thought. IVANA BYTHESEASIDE (3) and PLATINUM JIVE (4) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.

Race 6:

OVERVIEW: SURFE LA MER (9) worked hard to find the lead and battled on fairly well for fourth ($1-65 fav) in her heat of this series then got a long way back from a poor draw in her semi-final performance. She will appreciate competing in a field of less depth here and is worth following. FORESIGHT (13) performed very well at the trials prior to a game heat fourth behind Miss Disturbia, where she made ground from last. She couldn’t work into the race from a long way back in her semi-final performance but might be better suited against this opposition. POPS JOY (1) is a New South Wales trained pacer, which finished off well for third when on debut. She is ideally drawn and should have benefited from the experience so she is worth an investment. OZZIE GEM (4) is a fast beginner and has built up a consistent record so she is not without a chance.

Race 7:

OVERVIEW: KARTIARE (10) put together four wins in succession prior to striking trouble and losing his chance at Wagga. He produced a big effort when a close second behind the classy mare Looks Like Diamonds at a Melton trial performance last week so he is capable of bouncing back into winning form. HOORAH PHILTRA (4) settled midfield and finished off solidly for second at Shepparton last week. He will be ready to hit his peak form after having two starts back from a spell and is worth a ticket each way. TRIPLE VINNIES (7) will also be getting fitter after his two runs since a break and he has been hitting the line nicely. He has only missed a place once in eight starts for the season and should prove hard to hold out in the run to the finish. VINCE LOMBARDI (9) is stepping up in class from his victory at Shepparton on September 10 but he has also been racing in consistent form and is not without a chance.

Race 8:

OVERVIEW: OZZIE CORKA (5) settled midfield and sustained a long run when a big winner over Feel The Reign at Bendigo last week. He is a strong pacer and should prove hard to beat again. ARTIST (12) is resuming since a debut victory at Maryborough in March. He recorded a soft victory at the trials last week and has the ability to figure in the finish. TOBYS SHOUT (10) finished off nicely at his latest trial second at Shepparton and appears to have some ability so he must be kept safe. TORQUE POWER (2) worked home nicely last outing and has claims along with RONNIE THE HAMMER (13), which is resuming since a fourth at Wagga in June.

Race 9:

OVERVIEW: MADIGAN (8) is awkwardly drawn but he is the class runner of the field and will be fitter after his first up eighth behind Roadmaster on August 30. He performed very well at a Maryborough trial prior with a second placed effort behind the smart pacer Captain Pins so he must be considered as a winning chance. CHEERSTOLOU (3) is better than his form reads and is worth an investment. He possesses early speed and has been competing at a high level at his most recent performances. THEVICEPRESIDENT (1) was able to record a victory over the handy performer Chart Topper at Wagga in June and is drawn to receive every chance so he cannot be left out of calculations. TOORAM CEE CEE (9) was headed off at the start and ended up being midfield on the markers when third behind Dat Lou at Shepparton last outing. His overall form is sound so he must be included amongst the leading chances.