Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s five to follow from Bendigo
Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner provides his runners to both follow and forgive from Bendigo on Saturday.
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Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs his eye over Saturday’s Bendigo meeting finding five horses to follow and forgive from the card.
FIVE TO FOLLOW
Jumped well but eased back to worse than midfield in the run. Restrained to avoid heels at about the 600m and lost a fraction more ground. Ridden for luck and got some, sliced through the field to grab fourth. POUNDING (5th), slow into stride, also worked home nicely second-up from back in the field. LADY JONES (unplaced) stuck on OK after travelling outside the leader. Stick with her too.
Tracked the winner ZLOTIES into the straight from last but not quite able to quicken as sharply in the 1400m Gold Pendant. Eight weeks’ between runs and would appreciate more ground next start. Wings Of Song has won up to 2100m previously and placed fourth in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks last year.
The aptly named Zloties was heavily gambled & she gets the cash 💴🇵🇱@Grahame_Begg's ultra-talented mare sprouted wings in the straight!@JChilds47 notches up a double 👇 pic.twitter.com/LFFkJsOxvA
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 12, 2025
Not suited by a stop-start race but finished off nicely late. Only second-up last Saturday so should improve from the run. The five-year-old could be aimed at the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) next month at Flemington.
Allowed to stride out from barrier nine to cross the field and lead but paid the price late. Port Albert stuck on boldly in the straight but wilted inside the last 100m. Should benefit from the run and has won and placed second-up previously. DOTHRAKI (unplaced) also good from back in the field. Wet track and a bit more ground next start could be a winning formula for him.
Four back the paint in a leader dominated race first-up and denied any real momentum at the top of the straight but picked up to run fourth. Flossing has won and placed twice apiece second-up previously and could potentially appreciate a bit more ground.
Scheelite pounds his opposition into the turf 💥
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 12, 2025
The Real Steel gelding's first attempt over a mile since running a gallant seventh in the Caulfield Guineas is a winning one ðŸ¤@JChilds47pic.twitter.com/lvGcm7AV7v
FORGIVE
Victim of a bad barrier. Ended up a long way out of his ground and could not loop the field with any purpose around the bend to get into contention. Taken care of in the straight and had won four on the bounce going into the Golden Mile.
Disappointed on face value, as $1.75 favourite, but certainly not the first to cop a bout of second-up syndrome. Tatsumaki led all the way to win at Caulfield first-up at 1200m last month after a four-year hiatus. Travelled wide at Bendigo and not quite able to sprint as sharply back to 1100m. Third-up 1400m could be ideal.
Costly start – slow into stride – and dictated to thereafter. Settled too far back in the run and despite a sustained gallop late to grab third was never going to threaten in a leader-dominated race. Only second-up last Saturday so improvement to come but would need to tidy up barrier manners.
The punters knew there as Manolo Bling runs them off their feet 💨@LukeCartwrightt rode his first Saturday winner earlier & now he's got two ✌ï¸ðŸ‘@FreedmanRacingpic.twitter.com/GiDszzFITo
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 12, 2025
SUNSET DREAMING (unplaced, R3)
Second time in a row fancied in the market and beaten but in her defence, Sunset Dreaming raced in restricted room at Bendigo last Saturday trapped behind a wall of horses over the concluding stages. Would not be diving into short odds next start but could pay to be forgiving of the Impending mare.
Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s five to follow from Bendigo
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