Bendigo Cup – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A capacity field of sixteen runners + two emergencies have accepted for this years Bendigo Cup.  Six of them are in the final 45 horses in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and need a win to secure a run next Tuesday. Six runners come through a strong Benchmark 84 race run at Caulfiled on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.  The remaining runners come through a mixture of group racing, country cups, benchmark racing, interstate racing and the Williams team have import Pondus having his first start in Australia.  He is the early favourite for the race and has been contesting a number of the well known staying races in Europe.  His last start was in the Ebor Handicap.

Lord Belvedere finished midfield in a strong edition of the Bart Cummings – prior to that he had won three races in a row.  Zebrowski has been taking an eternity to wind up in his races but was as strong as any runner through the line in the Naturalism Stakes and this is easier.  Saracen Knight was disappointing behind Yonkers at Caulfield but that was a slowly run race and it may pay to forgive him – as he was left flat footed when the sprint went on.  Inverloch backs up after finishing a narrow second at Moonee Valley last Friday night.  Super Girl is attempting to win her home cup for trainer Josh Julius and it wouldn’t be a staying race without the presence of Chris Waller – he trains Masaff.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Haky

The top weight for this years race put in a good run when resuming at Caulfield to finish 3.2 lengths from In Good Health.  But has been well held in two subsequent runs.  Would not shock to see him improve fourth up here with a good barrier and Jamie Kah booked to ride. He is currently 37th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

2. Lord Belvedere

The former European has an impressive Australian record having won five from nine races since hitting our shores.  He finished midfield in The Bart Cummings at Flemington but only beaten 3 lengths and was well fancied by the market.  The worry is the Glue on Shoes going on, they are not a gear change that typically the punters like to see and indicate potential feet issues. Currently 42nd on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

3. Pondus

Lightly raced European stayer having his first Australian start – he is trained by Melbourne Cup winning trainer Joseph O’Brien.  He has finished second last in his last two runs and possibly looks to have lost form.  Pondus doesn’t appear to have a lot of gate speed so suspect he has to go back from the wide barrier which may leave him with a lot to do. Currently 39th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

4. Inverloch

Inverloch backs up after a narrow second at Moonee Valley on Friday night.  He heads forward in his races and makes his own luck.  Would not shock but is yet to prove himself over the 2400m.

5. Azuro

Has started big odds in all four Sydney runs this preparation.  Drawn to get a soft run and drops in grade but struggling to make a case for him. Currently 34th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

6. Zebrowski

This lightly raced son of Savabeel has been building nicely this preparation.  He had some form around some good Sydney horses before switching to Melbourne last start and running a solid second behind Chapada in the Herbert Power Stakes.  William Pike stays aboard – he is one of the main chances. Currently 25th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

7. Furrion

Has finished near the rear of the field in all three runs this preparation.  The last time he ran over a similar distance he won the listed Warnambool Cup in May.  Would not shock to see improve with the Blinkers going on.

8. Princess Jenni

Has struggled to find form this time in.  Happy to risk trying the 2400m for the first time.

9. Silent Command

Silent Command ran fifth in the Moe Cup last start.  That form is surely not good enough to be figuring here.

10. Midterm

Another to have had his last start in the Moe cup.  He finished eighth there.  Prefer others.

11. Good Idea

There are not many stables going better than Phillip Stokes at the moment and he saddles up Good Idea in this years cup.  This horse found form last start finishing a length behind Yonkers at Caulfield.  Will likely settle up near the speed and has an Each Way chance.

12.  Masaff

Worked to the line well in the benchmark race at Caulfield that many of these come through.  Consider for the multiples.

13. Saracen Knight

Saracen Knight is having his fourth Australian start.  He made up many lengths to win a benchmark 84 at Caulfield two starts ago and then was heavily backed at his latest start at Caulfield.  On face value he was disappointing after finding a good spot in the run but he was coming out of a fast run race and struck a very slowly run race and was left flat footed when the sprint went on.  Don’t discount him here. Currently 45th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

14. Super Girl

Super Girl appreciated the drop back to benchmark racing last start – finishing off well to run third behind Yonkers.  She had been contesting some strong staying races previous to that which proved a step beyond her.  Connections may have had this race in the back of their minds all preparation, she is locally trained and at odds could be worth an Each Way ticket.

15. Jack Regan

Not good enough to be winning this.

16. Realm of Flowers

Realm of Flowers has struggled to recapture the winning form she showed last preparation.  Hard to recommend on recent form.

17. Red Alto

Won this race in 2018 at huge odds.  Hasn’t showed enough in recent times to be figuring.

18. Lofty Heights

He was well beaten in the race won by Yonkers at Caulfield.  Looking elsewhere.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Zebrowski	14. Super Girl
2. Lord Belvedere	6. Zebrowski
13. Saracen Knight	2. Lord Belvedere
3. Pondus	3. Pondus