It was an eventful start to the Sportsbet Bendigo Cup heats tonight with racing delayed following the opening heat, after damage was sustained to the Catching Pen Gate caused by the lure.
Blessed Rain was the standout performer, clocking the fastest qualifying time in heat six with impeccable mid-race speed. The Brett Mackie-trained chaser has now notched up four consecutive Best of Night wins, stamping herself as a dog to look out for.
Fans welcomed Mile A Minute back into the winner’s circle after a shaky beginning. Despite stumbling out of the boxes, he powered to the rail and took out the opening heat for trainer Brad Greenough.
Canya Ultimate was flawless in her heat victory for Jess Hopkins. The lightly raced chaser has now won nine of her 14 career starts, posting impressive times across Victoria’s provincial tracks.
The upset of the night came in heat three when Paw Xabia defeated champion Explicit at $46 odds. The Daniel Gibbons-trained chaser went stride-for-stride with Explicit and took advantage of the interference caused by Dr. Dylan and Dash Of Whisky to claim an impressive win.
Slick Splits produced one of the runs of the night in heat four, storming home from deep in the field to snatch victory by a whisker in 23.90 seconds.
Sharapova Star did what she does best – lead and win. She held off a strong-finishing Mepunga Tully to qualify for her third Country Cup final.
The final heat saw another upset; this time it was Mav Reiko who was brave in his heat win – running down Hotel Whisky One to win in a time of 23.63 seconds.
Dr. Asher was the fastest second place getter and secured a rug in the Group 2 Sportsbet Bendigo Cup.
Hotel Whisky One is the first reserve and Jetstream Icon the second reserve.
The scene is set for a cracking Sportsbet Bendigo Cup which will be run on Friday night.
