G3 winner Collinda Patty faces dual G1 champion Jarick Bale in this afternoon’s $12,000 to-the-winner Bendigo Stayers Cup, but G3 winner Hank The Hustler and the in-form Golden Quest cannot be discounted.

Aston Exceed has been terrific winning his heat and semi-final of the Bendigo Gold Rush Maiden and he is favoured to complete the hat-trick in the $10,000 to-the-winner final.

Two-time G3 winner Barooga Smoke and G3 placegetter Old News is a clash of kennelmates in the Easter Cup, while there are finals of the Beau and Belle of Bendigo.

G3 finalist and The Meadows 29.76 winner Rapaki Rocks stands out at Sandown Park this afternoon, while G2 Traralgon Cup runner-up Paua Of Janie is in action at Sale tonight.

Today’s Racing

Bendigo: 12:09pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Sandown Park: 1:53pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Sale: 5:42pm start
Form     Tips     Key stats

Today’s Drawcards

BAROOGA SMOKE

Trainer: Brooke Ennis
? Bendigo ? Race 4
? Box 4 ? 500m ⏱ 1:09pm

Claim to fame:
– Two-time Group 3 winner
– 75% top-three from 61 starts

TAB fixed odds: $1.75

The Watchdog says: Yes

JARICK BALE

Trainer: Mark Delbridge
? Bendigo ? Race 5
? Box 2 ? 660m ⏱ 1:25pm

Claim to fame:
– Two-time Group 1 winner
– 68% top-three from 63 starts

TAB fixed odds: $2.50

The Watchdog says: No

COLLINDA PATTY

Trainer: Jason Thompson
? Bendigo ? Race 5
? Box 8 ? 660m ⏱ 1:25pm

Claim to fame:
– 1st Group 3 Speed Star 600m
– Won last 3 and 4 of last 5

TAB fixed odds: $2

The Watchdog says: Yes

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Sunday 17 April

? $4 Multi

First ?: Win – ZIPPING VIKING
? Sandown Park ? Race 1 ? Box 1 ? 515m ⏱ 1:53pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.90 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542977/race/1

Second ?: Win – OSPREY ATHENA
? Sandown Park ? Race 2 ? Box 6 ? 515m ⏱ 2:13pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542977/race/2

Third ?: Win – RAPAKI ROCKS
? Sandown Park ? Race 4 ? Box 4 ? 515m ⏱ 3:05pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.30 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666542977/race/4

The Watchdog says ? : ZIPPING VIKING (1) has been big in his past two at Warragul and he should appreciate the rise to 515m again. OSPREY ATHENA (6) blew away her rivals last Sunday and with a clear run early, she should be scoring with ease. RAPAKI ROCKS (4) lit up The Meadows recently and he will appreciate the smaller line-up today.

Multi price: $4.07

? $2 Place – I’M TALKING

? Must Watch Race ?

Bendigo Gold Rush Maiden Final

? Bendigo ? Race 7
? Box 8 ? 425m ⏱ 2:07pm

TAB fixed odds: $2.80 Place

The Watchdog says ?: I’M TALKING (8) has been impressive in his two Bendigo runs and he is drawn to get a clear passage in the initial stages. He likes to stay wide and I’m expecting there to be some bunching up front, so he should avoid the interference and a top-three finish is on the cards.

‘Must Watch Race’ Preview ?:

ASTON EXCEED (1) has burst onto the scene with back-to-back scintillating 23.61sec victories. He has carved out 6.39sec and 6.45sec to the first marker in his two runs and if he can reproduce either one of those, he should be able to fire to the lead and get the cash. FIRE HOSE (2) is another of the unbeaten brigade and he looks set to get the gun run. He has posted wins in 23.76sec and 23.72sec and I think there is scope for more improvement. HIGH TRIBE RICO (4) is yet to taste success, but he has been big in his two runs to date and if there is some bunching up front, he could be there to capitalise, while BRAD MAYO (5) and I’M TALKING (8) both must be respected. MADIGAN (10) was brilliant on debut, and the second reserve could be the smoky.

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666543026/race/7

The Watchdog’s selections: 1 – 4 – 2 – 8

? $4 Win – ASTON CAREY
? Bendigo ? Race 9 ? Box 8 ? 425m ⏱ 2:49pm
TAB fixed odds: $3 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666543026/race/9

The Watchdog says ? : He is four-of-four to date and he appears drawn to get the cash again. His box manners are solid, and he is armed with a dynamic turn of foot soon after box rise. With a tendency to stay wide in his races, he should gain a clear passage early and break up the field through the bend. He went 23.94sec in his heat but I think he can get down to around the 23.70sec mark and that would be enough to score.

Today’s News

LUCKIE LOOKING FOR BENDIGO GOLD
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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