Midweek racing reaches us once again, with competitive racing taking place right around the country. At Bendigo, we see some potential future black type stars stepping out in a number of the races on the program, which should lead to some very exciting racing. Same story goes at Canterbury, where the eight-race program features a number of improving horses, who can win and take that next step into harder company. Doomben, Mount Gambier and Ascot are the remaining meetings taking place, so check out PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby’s top five picks of the day:
Bendigo R2 #11 Monetizing $2.05 at PlayUp – Stanley-trained galloper resuming here over the 1000m journey, and looks very well placed off the back of an eye catching jump out win. She was most dominant in the jump out, leading and winning comfortably under a big hold, and recording an even time for the morning. Seeing as though she was never asked for an effort, I believe this shows that she has returned in great form. She was set a massive task last prep first up, that was on debut and she was well in the market, indicating she had some talent. She also has form behind talented horses such as Broadwayandfourth, Screenager, and finished behind Sisstar in a G3 at Flemington. She maps perfectly from barrier 6, and can prove too good for these first up.
Bendigo R5 #13 Intelle $4.80 at PlayUp – Comes here second up off the back of a very impressive/unlucky first up run, where she was stiff not to be awarded victory on protest. She was interfered with by the winner at a crucial part of the home straight, and also got accidentally whipped in the nose by the opposition rider. Fitter for that run, and has a great chance to atone here. From barrier 4 she can either lead or sit very handy to the speed, and that will be ideal with the rail out +6m. She sticks to the 1300m, gets a senior rider back on board, and holds weight in the same grade. I had her marked shorter than her current quote, and so she is definitely a bet here in a good race.
Bendigo R7 #5 Lucky Fish $8.00 at PlayUp – Thought we are getting a very good price about this horse today, who I have as the equal top rater in the race. Comes here second up off a freshen, last start in Saturday bm78 grade at this track, he sat equal lead and gave a great sight, only to be run down in the final 100m. Dropping back to the 1100m will definitely suit, and he holds residual fitness from runs earlier in the year. From barrier five, he should lob right up on speed again in a race that doesn’t seem to have a stack of pace involved. Holds weight from last start, and finds an easier midweek race to contest. If he kicks clear at the top of the straight, they will have a hard time running him down over this sprint trip. Great each-way bet in my opinion.
Canterbury R2 #8 Vucetich $3.20 at PlayUp – Going to stick with this Godolphin colt here second up, after being in his corner first up also. He ran 6th at Warwick Farm on a heavy 8, which I believe was most unsuitable for him. What that run will do, however, is strip him much fitter for this effort, and getting back on top of the ground will undoubtedly suit. Sticking to the 1200m is no issue, and he maps much better today from barrier three. I still believe he is destined to be very competitive in Saturday grade, so with that being said i’m sure he will be right around the mark today in this midweek maiden.
Canterbury R7 #7 Adelong (BEST) $2.25 at PlayUp – With the scratching of other main hope Masked Crusader, I firmly believe that Adelong has the ability to dominate this race. She is first up here off the back of an impressive Hawkesbury trial, winning by 1L on the line to Badajoz. Her run first up last prep was a debut effort, where she scored comfortably by over 2L. She then went on to win three in a row, including a bm70 win at Randwick, and was very stiff not to win four in a row when she was allowed to go way too quick in the lead, and knocked up late. She sticks to the bm74 grade, which is clearly within her reach, and if she has taken any benefit over the time off, I expect her to be far too good for these in midweek grade. Lightly raced, plenty of upside, and J McDonald goes on for the first time. Clear top pick for mine
