Shima Shine Leads Bendigo Cup Charge

The BGRA has a desire to lift the Bendigo Cup to group 1 status and a look at the heats set for this Sunday one could be forgiven for thinking it is already there. 

With a record $50,000 to the winner being offered, the Triple M Bendigo Cup for 2020 has attracted the full compliment of eight heats and such is the quality of the fields that for the first time TAB have opened up an "all in" betting market, an option usually reserved only for Group 1 races. 

In the early TAB betting for the rich final to be held on Friday night July 3 the Andrea Dailly trained star speedster Shima Shine is the $5 favourite.

The Ballarat track record holder and multiple group race finalist was runner up in last year's Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park and had his first look at Bendigo two runs back posting a near record 23.44.

Shepparton Cup winner Hard Style Rico and Warrnambool Cup winner Zambora Smokey share the second line of betting at $7 while Horsham Cup winner and dual group 1 placegetter Tiggerlong Tonk is the next elect at $10. 

Racing action kicks off at 11.57am on Sunday.

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Heat 1 (Race 1) – Exciting sprinter Tinker Craig (1) has won ten of his fifteen career starts to date and posted sizzling times at Sale, Shepparton and Ballarat recently. Drawn in box one with speed to burn Tinker Craig will be the one to beat. Jax Bale (5), runner up in the Group 1 Harrison Dawson at Sandown will pose a serious threat to Tinker Craig despite drawing box five and he overcame a steady start to score at Bendigo on June 5. Zipping Walter (4) has an impressive strike rate winning ten from sixteen to date including a 23.58 Bendigo victory and NSW visitor Straight Shift (4) has won fifteen of 20 starts and must be considered. 

Selections: 1-5-4-3 

Heat 2 (Race 2) – Local sprint star Bound To Succeed (3) is the top local hope in the series and is the one to beat in his heat. With a sizzling best time at Bendigo of 23.44 and having won four of his past five outings the reliable beginner with the local track experience is the top pick. Horsham track record holder Kipling (6) comes into the race having won five on the bounce and has the speed to challenge throughout. Yozo Bale (1) is very strong and has the draw too put him striking range early. Faithy Bale (4) was a Warrnambool Cup finalist and has won in slick times at Sandown and The Meadows in recent outings. 

Selections: 3-6-1-4 

Heat 3 (Race 3) – You Tell Me (8) looks well drawn to put herself in a perfect position early and with her strength will be hard to hold out. With a 50% win ratio from 22 starts including a recent 29.46 Sandown win when she showed terrific pace to lead in 5.00 from box six, she is a great chance of causing an upset. Warrnambool Cup winner Zambora Smokey (6) has won his past three is smart time and despite not winning at Bendigo in three appearances to date did clock 23.68 when runner up to Kipling recently. He is awkwardly drawn but will no doubt start the punters elect. Prolific winner Speed Star (2) is the likely leader and will take some catching as always while Brace And Bits (5) has the ability to fill a placing from the tough draw. 

Selections: 8-6-2-5 

Heat 4 (Race 5) – Aston Dynamo (6) has a terrific strike winning eleven of eighteen and is unbeaten at the track with a flying 23.48 as his best. If he can manage a clean getaway he will take a power of beating. Gladiola Bale (8) is not noted for her early pace but is ideally drawn and has a terrific turn of mid race pace as seen in a recent Meadows win. Rocket Boy (1) is a 23.61 winner at Bendigo and must be considered while Slingshot Titan (2) is another with a 50% win strike rate and is searching for a hat trick of wins. 

Selections: 6-8-1-2 

Heats 5 (Race 6) – Speed machine PAUA OF OSCAR (4) is the current Warragul 400m track record holder boasting a record of eight starts for six wins and two seconds. At his most recent start he defeated Bendigo track record holder Jim Zarr Dashian at Bendigo in 23.49 and looks poised to strike again. Mepunga Daniel (3) has returned from a ten week break in terrific form with wins at Healesville and Warrnambool and runner up at Bendigo in his three runs since a spell. Leon Bale (2) has won his past two starts at The Meadows and will be finishing off strongly. Zipping Zarbo (6) is unbeaten at the track and must be considered. 

Selections: 4-3-2-6 

Heat 6 (race 7) – A terrific race. Horsham Cup winner Tiggerlong Tonk (5) will have to overcome a tough draw but has the class to do so. Was 3rd in the Group 1 Harrison Dawson only four runs ago and has been racing the best of the best week in week out. The speedy Bring Your Banjo (1) looks the leader from the inside draw and is racing in terrific form. Jim Zarr Dashian (4) is the current Bendigo track record holder but his box manners have cost him in recent starts. If he can begin cleanly and get some galloping room he will be right in the finish. Lots Of Chatter (2) could fill a minor placing. 

Selections: 5-1-4-2 

Heat 7 (Race 8) – One of the main early fancies for the series Hard Style Rico (1) could not have drawn better for his resuming run and will be looking for a spot in the final to try and add the Bendigo Cup to his Shepparton Cup won earlier in the year. Shima Breeze (6) was a 23.63 Bendigo winner two runs back and followed up with a 22.42 Geelong win last start and is a terrific chance. Smart As Jack (7) is a dog with plenty of promise and capable of a forward showing as is Eye Catcher (4). 

Selections: 1-6-7-4 

Heats 8 (Race 9) – Pre-post favourite Shima Shine (8) will be a short priced favourite in the final heat and looks the winner. He had this box when a 23.44 winner at the track on June 5 and is a genuine star sprinter. NSW visitor Ebby Infrared (3) is a class act and will make his presence felt for sure. Nebraska Nell (1) is a reliable beginner and will handy throughout from the inside draw and Swift Current (2) could put some value into the multiples. 

Selections: 8-3-1-2