Bendigo Jumps Races Selections – Sunday 23 July
by Dandy Andy on July 21, 2017
Looking forward to a great day of jumps racing at Bendigo on Sunday where it will be even more interesting with some of these runners getting back onto drier ground than a couple of recent meets, with the track currently rated a Soft 6. The four jumps races will be highlighted by the Brendan Dreschler Hurdle and Mosstrooper Steeplechase where we will see two of the stars this season in action in Renew and Zed Em respectively, but they’ll both face tough opposition and there are two other open Hurdle races in support. My views are as follows:
R1. Maiden Hurdle 3200m – In a race of many chances to kick things off, I’ve gone for the 2 Dubai Escapade to win on debut here for the proven combination of Darren Weir and John Allen. Dubai Escapade certainly won’t be disadvantaged by the slightly drier ground on Sunday than we’ve seen on some occasions recently and he’s been well schooled/grounded for this with recent hurdle trials and racing. He can win from the 6 Murphy’s Delight, 5 He’s A Genius, who I was on last start at Casterton, and the 7 Music to Midnight who has trialled well over the hurdles. That’s leaving out last start hurdle placegetters, a city winner on the flat and a blowout chance I have a bit of time for in Taminga, trained by the legend of Casterton in Western Victoria, Graeme ‘Joey” Smith, well remembered as the trainer of the legendary grey, Lazza.
2-6-5-7
R2. 1JW Hurdle 3200m – Leaning to the 2 Mujadale here for Tom Ryan on the drier surface. Doesn’t appreciate the Heavy for mine but was good enough to win his Maiden on it at Warrnambool beating the ever consistent HaleSoriano, but found it tougher going back at Warrnambool last start up in grade on the Heavy again, when he didn’t seem to jump well either. Will bowl along up in the leading division here with possibly Oerter and Monte Carlo and give a great sight. The Narcissist for the Weir/Allen combination will be hardest to beat, He won well on debut at Casterton and stable number one, John Allen, takes over here after Brad McLean rode him well to win there. I backed Oerter at Casterton in the race won by Hornet’s Nest, who has won again since in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle at Warrnambool, and found it a very funny race with the lead changing hands a number of times throughout. Brad McLean was inconvenienced in that race on Oerter when his saddle slipped early in proceedings. Clayton Douglas goes back on here and the 3kg claim will be very handy. Who Says I’m Ready ran second in that same race won by Hornet’s Nest at Casterton and he’ll be strong at the finish. Race in four for mine.
2-4-3-5
R3. Brendan Dreschler Hurdle 3600m – Tipping this seasons #1 hurdler to go on his merry way here with the 2 Renew on top for the Weir/Allen combination. Has won on Soft and even Good ground, so will be suited here and has been kept up to the mark since his commanding Australian Hurdle win in late May with a couple of trials and flat runs. Hardest to beat is the up and comer 7 Unique Assassin. On weights he can turn the tables here on 3 Hornet’s Nest with 6 Two Hats also a place chance. The interesting runner here is 1 Sea King, a great jumper, but will lack the pace to be competitive here over hurdles and the 3600m. His time will come later in the season.
2-7-6-3
R4. Mosstrooper Steeplechase 3600m – Mosstrooper, regarded as the “Prince of Jumpers”, a faultless jumper in his day who had many big race wins including the 1930 Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase. This promises to be a great race and I’m sticking with 2 Zed Em, regarded by many, including me, as the best “2 mile chaser” in the country at the moment. While trainer Patrick Payne said during the week he thought stable mate Angelology would be suited better by the Bendigo course/layout, Zed Em meets those who placed behind him in the Thackeray Steeplechase last start at the Bool much better on weights here for beating them fair and square, and I just can’t see him being beaten here. He likes the Heavy but I don’t think the slightly drier ground will impact him. A dasher, with class and toughness he’ll race on the pace and be suited with Brad McLean on top again rating him to perfection. 1 Wells ran second in this race last year and while possibly suited on heavier ground and over further he is always hard to beat. For mine a step up in class here for Angelology, but he’s been well ridden his last two by Daryl Horner Jnr who although he can’t claim here, takes the reins again and the ever reliable 5 I’ll’ava’alf, who was a little hard to handle over the last few jumps last start resulting in him finishing wide out on the course the hardest to beat.
2-1-3-5
Good punting everybody.