Race 1 – 12:25PM Sportsbet Fast Form Plate (1000 METRES)
Handy little maiden with a couple having trialled up nicely.
#10 TENNESSEE SPIRIT is having her first start for Toby Lake, having kicked off her career in WA. She disappointed market expectation a couple of times over there, but ran into a handy one in Ladies Pro on debut (went on to run fourth in WA Guineas) and beat home Ninetymilestraight who ran second in the Listed Lee-Steere. They then rode her quietly when a very short-priced favourite at her second start but she got quite keen and didn’t finish off.
She has been given a good spell and looks to have settled into Bendigo very well. Her jump-outs at Bendigo and Ararat have been absolutely outstanding. She belted her rivals in her Bendigo jump-out, running the quickest time of the morning. She again led them at Ararat on May 12 before being given an incredibly quiet time the last furlong, finishing just off a smart horse in Jennyanydots. But the thing that impressed most was that wasn’t the end of her tank, she was again several lengths clear of her rivals past the post.
Think she will bounce, push forward, and either lead, or sit outside #7 GOODELLO. This looks a perfect race for her to break her maiden.
GOODELLO has been heavily backed since markets went up. Was weak late in two races last campaign, but those runs were 1100m and 1300m, so 1000m suits better. Jump-outs have been OK, without racing. She can win, but think she’s too short at $2.80.
#11 FARMELIA is a 2yo taking on the older horses, which can be a good recipe at this time of year (a nugget of gold to note down for the next couple of months). She was strong late in a recent Bendigo jump-out and if they over-do it up front she will be hitting the line strongly.
Suggested bet: Think #10 TENNESSEE SPIRIT should be fave and she’s not – happy to back at $3.60. Small save on #11 FARMELIA to break even if she wins.
Race 7 – 3:55PM Tile Importer Handicap (1000 METRES)
#9 LAVANDULA has her first start with Greg Eurell, having formerly been with Tom Sadler. She is a mare that has always trialled well, but she probably looks to be going as well as she ever has. Showed great speed in a jump-out at Geelong before winning eased right down late. Then came here to the Caulfield Heath and again led, travelled sweetly and won well, beating Miraval Rose and Star Patrol.
There’s good speed from #8 KILLIANA and #1 CALL TO GLORY, so suspect LAVANDULA will end up leader’s back from gate one. Provided she gets the gaps in what should be a fast-run 1000m, she can then finish over the top of them.
KILLIANA knocked up late at Sale first-up, which is fair given she was a year between runs. She also trialled nicely, in slightly quicker time, the same morning as LAVANDULA. Gets Mark Zahra, too.
Suggested bet: Can back LAVANDULA 1×3 E/W at the $6 on offer.
