Bendigo, Wednesday 18 March
Form Analysis by Bronte Nieuwenburg
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: WITH APLOMB (11) got it wrong last start, galloping at the start. I’m happy to give her another chance as she’s a rising star trotter. She has incredible speed and ability and looks capable of reaching the top trotting mares grade if she keeps trotting well. WAIKARE ADRIENNA (2) is a consistent trotter who is racing well and has an ideal barrier to get forward and use to her advantage. AETOS DYNAMIS (8) is a lightly raced performer having his fourth start back after nearly a year on the sidelines. He should be nearing peak fitness now. He was solid when fifth last start behind Claudys Hero. He has the second-best sectional times in the field behind With Aplomb but faces an awkward barrier to navigate. CHARLIE TACTICS (4) has only missed a place once in his career. He is a progressive, well-bred performer for leading trotting trainers Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar and can’t be left out.
BACK: WITH APLOMB (11) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: WITH APLOMB (11), WAIKARE ADRIENNA (2), AETOS DYNAMIS (8), CHARLIE TACTICS (4)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: CROCODILE BLOOD (5) went amiss last start, but his runs prior suggested he was close to breaking through for a maiden win. He has gate speed but can also swoop late. He’s probably best when his speed is used once, but he has options. DYGANALI (9) is first up this year and has a suitable barrier to follow through into a forward running-line position. OPERTSER (4) ran an okay third last start at Bendigo and benefits from the James Herbertson factor. WICKED ONE (11) is lightly raced with only four career starts but has the best sectional times in the field, although the barrier makes it tricky.
SELECTIONS: CROCODILE BLOOD (5), DYGANALI (9), OPERTSER (4), WICKED ONE (11)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: SAMBEZIA (5) is still learning what racing is all about. He has had three starts and his most recent run at Shepparton was encouraging when he led most of the way. He broke under pressure late, but on that effort he looks ready to break through for his maiden win. FARSTAR (9) is always competitive and close to the winners when he trots throughout. Generally, if he trots he finishes in the top three. He also looks close to breaking through. MUNRO KAI (4) is a first starter who has had three solid trials this year. The map looks awkward, but if he trots throughout he should be competitive. FAR AS POSSIBLE (3) is first up here for new trainer Scott Torney. She ran a good second last start at Birchip, which was a much-improved performance.
BACK: SAMBEZIA (5) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: SAMBEZIA (5), FARSTAR (9), MUNRO KAI (4), FAR AS POSSIBLE (3)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE LUIGI (10) looked a little below his best last start, but his earlier runs this campaign were excellent. He clearly has the best sectional times in the field and is a fantastic swooper who will be charging home. MAAS BETTING AGAIN (2) has great gate speed and should be able to work forward. She contested the lead last start before taking a sit three back on the fence and finishing strongly for third. She is racing well. YA BOTTOM DOLLAR (9) is third up after nearly a year on the sidelines and should be nearing peak fitness. He was strong last start when flashing home for third at Shepparton and should improve again. SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (8) has always shown promise and broke through for his maiden win last start. This is tougher and he may be stuck on the fence, but he looks a nice horse.
SELECTIONS: MY ULTIMATE LUIGI (10), MAAS BETTING AGAIN (2), YA BOTTOM DOLLAR (9), SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (8)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY JUDGE (4) looks a smart, progressive trotter for Chris Svanosio. He has had four starts for two wins and two placings. Last start he stormed home behind Claudys Hero and Charleston Avenue. He should be able to get forward here. ALDEBARAN SUSANNE (8) was a feature winner of the Lyn McPherson Breed For Speed Silver Trot Final last start at Melton, defeating the smart mare Rubys Dream. She enjoyed clear running in that race but now draws awkwardly on the fence. MAC FLICK (7) is racing extremely well but has a poor barrier. She has clearly the best sectional times in the field but will need luck. TICTOK (6) is the flashy and fast sister to star trotter Mercano. She has gate speed and options, and with luck she will be competitive late.
BACK: KYVALLEY JUDGE (4) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KYVALLEY JUDGE (4), ALDEBARAN SUSANNE (8), MAC FLICK (7), TICTOK (6)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: MIKI MARK (2) has the best sectional times in the field and draws well to use the barrier to advantage. He is first up after a short freshen-up but was racing in strong form before the break. FINAL BOW (7) was a last-start winner when she found the fence at Echuca and sprinted home strongly. She may struggle to find a similar run from barrier seven but races well for James Herbertson and carries winning confidence. TUPELO BEACH (6) has brilliant gate speed and could press forward or save his speed for a late run. He has options. TOPHUT JOHNY (3) shouldn’t be overlooked for first-four chances. He is racing slightly better than his numerical form suggests and has a barrier that allows him to find a good running-line position.
BACK: MIKI MARK (2) – 1.5 units (win)
SELECTIONS: MIKI MARK (2), FINAL BOW (7), TUPELO BEACH (6), TOPHUT JOHNY (3)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: In an even trotting field, race map will be crucial. MISS AVENGER (1) has the ace barrier to secure a forward fence position. She hit the line well last start in rain-affected conditions at Boort to finish third and looks well placed here. HEART OF GRACELAND (8) got it wrong with his manners last start, but the run prior he stormed home strongly. He will need luck but can be competitive if he trots well. NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (4) ran a good second to Christmas Babe last start at big odds. It was likely a career-best effort and a repeat performance puts him right in the mix. PLAYA DEL CARMEN (6) has the most consistent recent form in the field, placing in three of her past four starts. She will need luck from the barrier but is racing well.
SELECTIONS: MISS AVENGER (1), HEART OF GRACELAND (8), NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (4), PLAYA DEL CARMEN (6)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: IM WESLEY (6) hit the line strongly at Ballarat last start to finish second. He has strong gate speed which often helps him secure fence positions. Barrier six is awkward but he may still push forward. If he finds luck and doesn’t have to work too hard he will be right in the finish. EASTBRO JESSIE (8) is the only runner on the second line and therefore has options. Last start can be forgiven as he was checked. The start prior he won impressively at Shepparton and looks well placed again. OZZIE PEARL (7) has had three runs back in Victoria since returning to the Julie Douglas stable following a Tasmanian campaign. She was good last start at Echuca before getting a little tired late. The barrier is awkward but she is a place chance. KORENGAL VALLEY (4) benefits from the strong James Herbertson–Ross Graham combination. He was looking for luck last start and finished well late.
BACK: IM WESLEY (6) – 1.5 units (win)
SELECTIONS: IM WESLEY (6), EASTBRO JESSIE (8), OZZIE PEARL (7), KORENGAL VALLEY (4)
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