Tough race to start the day. Have to respect Flying Finch who has been gelded and gets the blinkers on after going around behind the smart Portland Sky on debut. A few subsequent winners finished behind. Real Gun was a good debut, faced the breeze three wide but still battled on well and was collared late by a smart one. Nantucket brings the best benchmark figures and has been racing in good company, after the last jump-out at Flemington, my notes were hard to beat in a maiden.
Backing Real Gun $3.80 and a good race to play the exotics
Exotics – 2,4,5 Tri $8.90
BENDIGO R2
TIME – 1.35PM
#7 MANAAJIM
This filly looks really hard to beat here. Building up a record of seconds but I still feel she attacked the line well enough last start and only found one better that had been going around in group races. Violinist then went to Flemington and was only beaten 2.3L in a listed race and should have finished much closer.
Backing Manaa win $2.40
Exotics – 3,6,7
BENDIGO R3
TIME – 2.10PM
#3 FIORENSACT Abandoned
I have to give him another chance. I liked the jump-outs before the debut and he did cover a bit of ground early. The visors going on might spark some improvement. Confident he will knock off a maiden at some stage. Have to save on Nowitzki who has jumped out okay and is in a good stable.
Backing Fior $10 win – Save Now $2.75
Exotics – 3,8/1,3,8,10,12,13
HAWKESBURY R6 ROUGHIE
TIME – 4.20PM
#9 BELLICIOUS
This mare has always shown above average ability at the trials but has not shown it race day yet. She overraced badly last start and then was found to be lame. Giving her one more chance. Willy Wilson would not shock
