The Bendigo Cup Carnival hits full swing this weekend with semi-finals of the GRV Vic Breeders on Friday. Heats were conducted last week and there were some standout performers.
The first semi-final – scheduled for 3:04pm – sees the fastest heat winner go around in the Brooke Ennis trained Heard It Before (6). He didn’t jump brilliant in his heat but when he got clear running he darted through well and then powered away in the straight to bolt in. He will only need clear running early here from Box 6 and he should be very hard to beat. Main danger looks to be Fast Boloney (2), who jumped well in his heat but then couldn’t muster and settled 3rd in behind the leaders at the first corner. He ran up behind them on the home turn but didn’t get much room in the straight and finished an unlucky 2nd. With that experience and a better draw he can challenge the favourite. Other chances to Phil Miyoot (1), who was sound on debut, Select Daniel (7), who finished well in his heat to score and also All In Tops (8), who has been placed at 4 of 5.
Semi-Final number 2 looks a much tougher affair and I like the chances here of Unlawful Entry (4). After a slow beginning in what turned out to be the fastest heat, the Darren Pattinson-trained greyhound weaved into a good spot but from the halfway point of the race he had no luck at all. Drawn next to a fast beginner and having had that experience of a race I think he can prove very hard to beat here. Main danger certainly is Zachie Dude (5), who won his heat by a space in good time. I’m not entirely sure this squeeze box suits but he has undeniable quality. Other chances to Argenta (1) and Snooky (3), who both go very fast, although the last 50 metres is the worry with them.
Semi Number 3 is up next and I’m super keen on the favourite, Ring The Bell (6). He began well in his heat settling second, and had some challengers coming to the home turn but in the straight he exploded away and was powerful late to win running away. He was most impressive. From box 6 he should get room to move early and stripping fitter he looks an excellent winning hope. Main danger looks to be Hot Patootie (7), who has drawn to follow across outside Ring The Bell and was sound in her heat run behind Zachie Dude, while the other winning hope is Boloney Club (1), who ran well in his heat and has the perfect draw to be a big factor.
The last semi is Race 4 and I think it is a race in three, but I’m going with the value in Crave (4). He hasn’t won in eight tries thus far but he has shown really good talent. He has drawn awkwardly but there doesn’t seem much pace drawn on his inside so he should be able to settle close to the pace, and at $13 as he is currently quoted he looks a good each way ticket. The two dangers are the impressive heat winners in Deadly Pace (5), who went very, very quick early and held on well in good time, and also Aston Maveric (8), who wound up powerfully after the start to win excitingly on debut. He’s drawn to get a clear run and could just blow straight past them early. I give small place chance to What You Say (6), although he will need a lot to go his way as he isn’t the best of beginners.
The rest of the program looks pretty hard to sort out but I thought in Race 6 Dot Com Diesel (8) could run a race at big odds, but will need plenty of luck. In Race 7, Punk Pirate (6) could go on with it after his terrific win at Shepp last Monday night.
It looks a high quality card of greyhound racing so hopefully this has helped you find a winner a two. Good Luck and Good Punting.
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