A steady Thursday with the pick of the racing spread across Bendigo, Gatton and the West at Bunbury. Bendigo is the meeting our judges keep coming back to — the deck is rated a Soft 5 with the rail out, which brings the wet-track types right into it. We've worked the card for one at a bigger number to sit alongside the solid ones, and we've found it in the last race at Bunbury. Three win plays make up today's best bets.
Bendigo R6 — the anchor
Scoobartie has been dominant winning his last two and lines up chasing a hat-trick over the 1000m. The obvious query is the draw — he's out in barrier 13 — but he's a natural leader who's proven on this track, so the plan is simple: cross, roll forward and dare them to run him down. On our numbers he's the clear top pick of the race, and the Soft 5 only helps him.
Da Nang Star is the one we respect most as the danger — another that wants to lead from a much kinder gate in barrier 3, so if Scoobartie can't clear early there'll be a genuine speed duel. But we're happy to be with the horse who's actually been winning.
BetBunkerChasing a hat-trick; a proven track leader who just has to overcome the wide gate.
Consistent and drawn to lead from barrier 3 — the main threat if he can hold out the top pick.
Gatton R4 — Brass Band the one to beat
Brass Band is our clear top-rated runner in the race.
BetBunkerDrawn to get every chance in barrier 4 — his turn to convert.
Bunbury R8 — the value play
Here's the one the market has drifted past. On Cue is a big number in the market. He maps to sit on the pace from barrier 10, so we're taking him each-way as today's value runner — a horse our numbers say is a good deal better than his quote.
BetBunker- → Best bet of the day is Scoobartie (Bendigo R6) — a proven track leader chasing a hat-trick, with only the wide draw against him.
- → Brass Band (Gatton R4) is the win play in the maiden, drawn to get his chance.
- → On Cue (Bunbury R8) is today's value each-way runner — our figures rate him well above his market price.
Three plays, one clear best bet, and a genuine each-way roughie to round it out. Bet within your means and enjoy the racing.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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