Bendigo
Race 2 – Silent Devotion
Jockey – Declan Bates
1000m – Barrier 7
Three-year-old filly Silent Devotion kicks of her preparation from the 1000-metre chute at Bendigo this afternoon. The daughter of Pinatubo has jumped out twice this preparation, leaving well on both occasions and allowed to find the line in her latest at Murtoa. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from the outside gate in a field of seven and can let his filly settle where comfortable, likely somewhere near the speed before looking to finish of late.
I Am Aria looks the leader from gate three, while Five Knights can receive a soft trail tucked in behind from an inside draw. I Am Aria is the one to beat, first-up today since fading in the Blue Diamond back in February. Her previous two starts were very good, beating home Streisand on debut before finishing within a length of that galloper second-up, and comes here on the back of a pair of sound jumpouts. She can find the lead and prove mighty hard to catch. Outside of her, Novamira has shown ability at the jumpouts and Five Knights is fitter second-up, having gone okay on resumption. Both with each way claims.
Silent Devotion will improve on whatever she does today, better suited over more ground and with race fitness on her side. She’s handled heavy conditions well in her jumpouts and can finish in the placings today without surprising.
Currently, Silent Devotion is a $14 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 3 – Only Opera
Jockey – Declan Bates
1600m – Barrier 5
Four-year-old mare Only Opera is second-up and fitter when she gets out to a mile at Bendigo this afternoon. The daughter of Castelvecchio was strong through the line when resuming in the wet at Geelong a month ago, suited out in trip today and giving the indication she’ll enjoy the heavy conditions on offer. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from gate five in a field of six and can let his galloper find her feet in the early stages, able to drift back before winding up in the home straight.
Small field with Koyuga Rip likely land in front from the chute start, with Rockzino to receive a soft trail from the inside alley on settling. This galloper was solid when placing here on debut over 1300-metres, tracking the winner into the race but unable to sprint with it late. Extra distance is sure to suit; one of the main chances. Tempered Edge is the other hope having run on well to finish runner-up at Cranbourne when resuming four weeks ago. The winner has since run well in town and he left a big gap to the third-placed runner, who has gone close at Geelong since. Strong claims. Koyuga Rip and Azulita with place hopes.
Only Opera finds a competitive, albeit small, field and is set to relish the rain-affected track stepping out in trip. She’ll be better again over further but no surprise to see her give this a shake today.
Currently, Only Opera is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Bendigo
Race 4 – Annatoria
Jockey – Declan Bates
1300m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Annatoria makes her racetrack debut in heavy going at Bendigo this afternoon. The daughter of Churchill has a pair of jumpouts under her belt this preparation, given a quiet time at Ballarat before a more solid hitout in testing conditions at Murtoa a fortnight ago. Jockey Declan Bates can let his galloper find her feet in the early parts, settling where comfortable before looking to find the line late.
Not a heap of obvious speed in a small field, with Diamond Eye as likely as anything to land in front from the inside alley, while Shaykhlislamova can find a soft trail throughout from gate two. Skydream resumes on the back of an impressive Murtoa jumpout win where she handled the heavy going comfortably. She’ll land midfield with cover and be finishing hard. Shapes as the one to beat. Diamond Eye has race fitness following three starts this time in and a win looks close. If she’s allowed to dictate in front she could take catching late. Strong claims. Guardian Detective next best, who’s shown some ability ahead of his debut.
Annatoria will improve on whatever she does today, better over further and with race fitness on her side. She can enjoy a easy time throughout before looking to run home late. Top four claims.
Currently, Annatoria is a $17 chance in the market.