Pro Punter Preview: 2019 Bendigo Cup

• The Bendigo Cup is a wide-open race and market
• Trevor has identified six contenders that can win the race

Bendigo Cup: speed map

The pace looks fairly even overall, but Captain Cook will go forward from wider out, while Angel Of Truth will push through from the inside gate and could even lead. Sully and Rupture will be on the pace.

Raheen House, Top Of The Range and Hang Man will settle back.

Bendigo Cup: Preview & Contenders

This is a really wide-open race. A lot of the runners are actually coming off failures and poor performances last start, and seemingly not going that well. It makes it hard to have a real standout selection or two, but I’ve narrowed it down to six chances which I think are the real contenders. The most relevant form races are the Herbert Power and the Caulfield Cup.

BRIMHAM ROCKS (4) was caught wide in the Caulfield Cup in what was a total forgive run. It ran well in the Naturalism three runs back in what was a positive performance. Has a reasonable record at this trip and maps well, and I think it can bounce back here.

Brimham Rocks was a complete forgive in the Caulfield Cup. Sat wide no cover the entire trip. You can't do that around there as Kubrick also found out on the day. Looks perfectly placed today, better draw, down in grade, drier track #BendigoCup

— princerubiton (@princerubiton) October 29, 2019

SULLY (7) ran well two starts back at the Valley when the bias suited it. It was then okay last start when well held. Will get similar run here.

HANG MAN (10) won well in the Benalla Cup, then ran on okay last start without threatening in its first run at this distance range. Will strip fitter here and can run to its best.

CAPTAIN COOK (5) is racing well. It ran well at Moonee Valley and was then okay in the Cranbourne Cup. It steps to 2400m for the first time in Australia, will race on the pace and is a solid chance.

Racing: Absolute good thing torched there Captain Cook 3rd-up @FlemingtonVRC in R9 who sat wide with no cover & kept coming to go under a long neck in a packed finish! Nice horse & should have won.. #IRC #SuperSat

— NEIL EVANS (@NeilEvansmail) September 14, 2019

TOP OF THE RANGE (11) surprised the market by returning to somewhere near form last start over 2,000 metres. It steps to 2400 metres here and doesn’t have to run as well as that to still have a chance.

RUPTURE (14) has won its past three, the past two being by big margins. Ran a fast time at Hamilton in a big spike rating. It has good claims if it can hold that rating here.

Bendigo Cup: The Rest

It was a funny run in the Caulfield Cup for ANGEL OF TRUTH (1), but on face value it looked disappointing. The form reads like a wet tracker and I’m keen to oppose, think it’s far too short in the market.

RAHEEN HOUSE (2) was well held in its first start in Australia. I’ve rated it up off that but still think it’s well found in the market… it’s another I’m happy to oppose

VOLKSTOK’N’BARRELL (6) is eight years old now and it’s over four years since it’s run at this distance range. I’m happy to let it go around without me.

BONDEIGER (8) is at its third run in from the spell, is up in distance range, and will strip slightly fitter. It’s reasonably well graded here btu is well past it’s best.

SIN TO WIN (9) put in a sound effort in the Benalla Cup, then was okay again last start. It steps to 2400 metres here and maps to roll forward. Very rough claims.

SINGLE HANDED (13) put in a good effort two starts back over 1800m at Morphettville when unfancied, before struggling in the heavy at Moe last start. First time at distance range. Another rough chance

CREEDENCE (15) has ran fairly in its past two races, but those ratings don’t look good enough here.

SUPER GIRL (16) isn’t good enough for this.

Bendigo Cup: Verdict

As I said, it’s a really wide-open race and if you’re betting, my approach would definitely be to stick to the six contenders I outlined. Of them, Hang Man is overs and represents the best value. For those interested in laying, I think Angle Of Truth and Raheen House are well under the odds and I’m happy to be against them.