Bendigo Race Previews 1-5: Saturday 13th April By Dean McHugh 

Race 1: Carlton Draught Handicap (2400m)

One of the longest races of Saturday’s card comes in the opening race of the day. Sixteen horses will head down to post, where Divus Romulus will likely jump off as the heavy favourite. 

Heading into the race fresh off the back of two wins from his last two starts, his connections will be hopeful of another bold showing, and he looks like he will take all of the beating.

Race 2: Apiam Animal Health VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m)

One of the most valuable races of the day comes in the Apiam Animal Health VOBIS Gold Rush. With a prize pool of $250,000, Bold Bastille looks to be one of the safest bets of the day.

Having won three of her four career starts, her last two wins have come within this grade, and she looks to have a great chance of recording yet another victory.

Herastar was an impressive winner on debut and could be one to watch with interest here.

Race 3: Smartloans Bendigo Handicap (1300m)

Yet another loaded field will head down to post for the day’s third race. A tricky handicap to call, the pre-race betting looks set to be between Mansiere and Electric Impulse. 

Of the two, it looks like Electric Impulse could be the one to back. Having won four of her seven career starts, she looks more than capable of landing a race in this grade and could well start as the overall favourite. 

If looking to back a horse at a price, Girl could be worth chancing. A winner of two of her last three contests she arrives at Bendigo in great form.

Race 4: IMMIX, Metal Recycled Right Handicap (1600m)

The handicaps continue to come thick and fast, and another one is up for grabs in the fourth race of the day. This looks like the trickiest contest of the day to predict, and it is expected that Goldenstatewarrior will start the race as the favourite. 

A winner on debut, three defeats have followed, but a return to this grade of race should play to his strengths. 

If you are looking to back a horse in form, it could be worth siding with Coco Sun. A winner when last seen on track, she boasts an almost 50% strike rate and should give her running once again.

Race 5: Balgownie Estate Bendigo Handicap (1100m)

The halfway point of the card brings in another handicap contest. Whereas some of the handicap contests are tough to call, Moby Dick will jump off as the warm favourite for this race. A winner of both of his career starts, he will hope to take another big leap forward here.

Extremely Rowdy is rounding into form nicely. Making her fifth start, she has won each of her last two races and will be hoping to land a third consecutive contest. It looks hard to look beyond the chances of these two.