Melbourne Cup hopefuls are looking to take out the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) to secure a weight penalty and sneak up the order of entry into the big dance next Tuesday, but there’s plenty of money to be made elsewhere on the card!
Let’s take a look at a few to fill our pockets before an enormous Derby Day at Flemington on Saturday…
Race 4 – Benchmark 78 – 1100m
This looks a race between two, with Grandview Avenue ($5) and Overkill ($4) the class runners in the race.
Both have been well supported, with Grandview Avenue looking to make it a hattrick of wins this prep at his pet 1100m distance.
Resuming for the Maher & Eustace stable is Overkill, who strung together a few nice wins last prep and looks ready to hit the ground running.
Verdict: I’ll be backing Grandview Avenue ($5) at the slightly better price.
Watch: Grandview Avenue win well last start.
Grandview Avenue flew home for back-to-back wins. pic.twitter.com/bEbPhAejAQ
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 14, 2020
Race 5 – Benchmark 64 – 1300m
Resuming for a new trainer here is Chequerboard ($9/$3), who was last seen taking on the likes of Cherry Tortoni and Albarado, who are going around as live chances in the Victoria Derby this weekend.
That’s obviously outstanding form for a midweek BM64, though Chequerboard hasn’t raced for 18-weeks. At the price she’s worth an each way throw at the stumps.
Verdict: Backing Chequerboard at $9/$3 each way.
Watch: One of Chequerboard’s strong wins last preparation.
Chequerboard @lindsayparkrace @coolmorestud a winner on debut against the older females at Pakenham. Winner 1775 for Fastnet Rock & the same Zabeel cross as Gr1 Atlantic Jewel, Avantage & Planet Rock. pic.twitter.com/rpNq8rJ3RO
— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) May 21, 2020
Race 7 – Bendigo Cup – 2400m
It’s a wide-open Bendigo Cup with a number of runners chasing a last-gasp Melbourne Cup weight penalty.
Zebrowski ($6) is possibly the best horse in the race but is more of a wet tracker, and may not get the conditions to suit on what is a track currently rated a Good 4.
Pondus ($5) is the wildcard for the Joseph O’Brien operation, a listed winner in Europe who must be respected, and has the ability to roll forward from the wide gate, and has D Lane onboard.
Worth a small bet at the odds is Super Girl ($23) who has been racing well without reward this prep and never had room to move last start. At the odds it’s worth having her on your side.
Verdict: Backing Pondus at $5 and Super Girl at $23.
Watch: Pondus take out a listed race in Ireland in July.
Pondus returned to winning ways in Listed company & looks an exciting horse for the season ahead for @JosephOBrien2
Watch all of today’s action from Pontefract, Roscommon, Leicester and Killarney for free in our results and replay section >>>https://t.co/GI57hUtDeF pic.twitter.com/fBL7TIy8Bx
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 7, 2020
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