Feature racing in Victoria heads to Bendigo this Saturday afternoon with a fantastic card of racing.
Our full 2022 Golden Mile Day Tips & Preview can be found here.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Benchmark 84 Handicap (2400m) 12:25pm
Tip: No. 2 Vardani
Vardani has managed five wins from 14 career race starts including his last two in a row.
The grey gelding was an impressive winner of the Stony Creek Cup last time out, scoring by half a length and they beat home the third horse by a further two lengths.
The son of Charm Spirit ran right through the line suggesting the step up to 2400m will not be an issue and has drawn to get a lovely run in transit from barrier three.
Race 2: Benchmark 70 Handicap (1300m) 1:00pm
Tip: No. 7 Naval Envoy
Five year old gelding Naval Envoy was beaten just half a length in the greys race on Melbourne Cup day in November over 1400m and was second when resuming at The Valley two weeks ago.
He ran into a pretty smart one in Snapper first up but the run was full of merit and he will take plenty of benefit out of that run.
The $26 currently available is worth a small each way bet in my opinion.
Race 3: VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) 1:35pm
Tip: No. 9 Soju Session
Soju Session was ultra impressive when scoring on debut over the short course at Ballarat two weeks ago proving she is a young horse with some ability.
This is a big step up in class but she has drawn barrier six and with natural improvement she will be every chance.
Race 4: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1100m) 2:15pm
Tip: No. 6 Zorro’s Dream
Zorro’s Dream has been a consistent performer over his racing career placing in 18 of 22 race starts.
He backed up a dominant two length at Morphettville two back with a narrow defeat at headquarters behind Express Pass last time out and his record at both Bendigo and 1100m is good.
Race 5: Gold Bracelet (1400m) 2:55pm
Tip: No. 3 Sirileo Miss
Four year old mare Sirileo Miss put together three wins in a row during her last campaign including the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield over 1600m.
She was well beaten when resuming in the Group 3 Tressady Stakes at Flemington but she will appreciate the drop back in class as well as the firmer track for this assignment.
Race 6: St Leger Trial (2200m) 3:35pm
Tip: No. 2 The Cunning Fox
The St Leger Trial is a race that lacks a whole heap of depth and I’m keen to back one that is dropping down considerably in grade.
The Cunning Fox was beaten five lengths in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley but he worked through the line well.
The three year old is bred to run a distance and will appreciate the step up to 2200m.
Race 7: Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) 4:15pm
Tip: No. 3 Gundec
Gundec was well beaten when contesting both the Caulfield Classic and Victoria Derby during the spring but returned with a two length win at Geelong first up.
He showed a really nice turn of foot when asked for an effort in that race and the son of Kermadec looks really well placed in this particular event.
Race 8: Listed Golden Mile (1600m) 4:50pm
Tip: No. 3 Zayydani
Zayydani is a quality race mare who has managed six wins from 18 career race starts including back to back wins to close out her spring campaign.
She won the Group 2 Matriarch at Flemington followed by the Listed Ballarat Cup, both over 2000m.
It usually takes her a couple of runs before she hits her straps but she looks really well placed in this event and we are getting nice double figure odds.
Race 9: Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m) 5:30pm
Tip: Box Tri 1/3/4/10/12
So Si Bon at $81. Excuse me?
Let’s chuck him in our boxed trifecta and finish with a big win.