Bendigo to host Vic Cup, Derby, Oaks !

[Messenger]

Bondi Lockdown was checked by a galloping Go Dancing early which ruined Dunn’s attempts to keep the early edge over American Dealer, enabling the latter’s reinsman Anthony Butt to coolly glide to the breeze.

From there Butt was able to dictate and the pair played mid-race cat and mouse for which Bondi Lockdown in particular would pay a price in the closing stages. Still he boxed on for third, good enough to keep alive a shot at a second Group 1.

“I was thinking we’re gone here, so I was just happy to make it through,” Dunn said. “It didn’t work out … bit disappointing the way the race went.”

Butt said he had driven “to beat Bondi Lockdown really and it left us open to that other one late, but the winner went great – he’s come out and showed some speed”.

https://harnesslink.com/australia/em...ather-and-son/

I hope Aaron Dunn gets the chance to return the favour in the final

I notice Butt only got a caution for easing the pace

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...21#BNM02102110

[Messenger]

Here are the draws

https://www.tab.com.au/racing/2021-1...01%2009%252F10

Ladies in Red 10

Bondi Lockdown 12

King Of Swing 13

Would all have like better

[Messenger]

If I was Aaron Dunn I would seriously consider engaging Chris Alford, David Moran or Jason Lee

[Showgrounds]

As impressive as King of Swing was winning over the mile at Menangle on Saturday night you would have to fancy Amazing Dream to do it again from the draw. Other than the King's inclusion it is a similar field to the Kilmore Cup.

[Messenger]

Here is HRV's link to the draws

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/art...p-1s-revealed/

[Bonnie]

Why don’t they spin the barrels when they are doing the Barrier Draws ? In the interests of integrity why not use the contactless tattslotto style barrels used by HRNSW. Leaves nothing open to conjecture .

[Messenger]

I'm afraid we are only slowly learning how to put on a show Anne. Another alternative when we are out of lockdown would be like the gallops do - have weighted objects (horses, cups, whatever) that have the number on the bottom and the connections come up and choose one

[Messenger]

Dan got it totally wrong in his call to say that American Dealer restrained to let Bondi Lockdown in - Anthony Butt denied him the death then saw he might get the 1x1 so he pulled back to stop him getting that too - if I did that on the road the police would charge me with dangerous driving
Anthony Butt IMO was a disgrace

Finally caught up with the Stewards Report (easy to forget what with how HRV hides them away)

RACE 3 – LATHER UP VICTORIA DERBY (1ST HEAT) (2650 MS)

Go Dancing was tightened and lost ground passing the 300m when Bide Our Time shifted in simultaneous to Tuppence shifting out resulting in Ozzie Playboy, who was following, being checked.

Aaron Dunn, driver of Bondi Lockdown, was cautioned for shifting ground in that approaching the 1600m he commenced to restrain Bondi Lockdown in an attempt to obtain the position following American Dealer NZ and when doing so shifted in when not clear of Bide Our Time which was tightened and shifted in resulting in Ozzie Playboy being checked and pacing roughly and Dessie Gee, which was following, being inconvenienced resulting in Go Dancing making contact with its sulky and pacing roughly. In not taking more severe action against Mr Dunn, Stewards were mindful that American Dealer NZ being steadied by its driver significantly contributed to this incident.

Anthony Butt, driver of American Dealer NZ, was cautioned for easing the pace in that approaching the 1600m as Bondi Lockdown was restrained he eased the pace in a manner which contributed to Bondi Lockdown causing inconvenience to runners behind.

Michael Stanley, driver of Soho Bollinger, pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that at approximately the 2500m he permitted Soho Bollinger to shift in when not clear of Go Dancing resulting in Go Dancing being checked and breaking gait resulting in Bondi Lockdown, American Dealer NZ and Ozzie Playboy being checked. In assessing penalty Stewards considered the relevant considerations as outlined within the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines, placing particular weight on Mr Stanley’s guilty plea and the circumstances of the incident which clearly displayed Mr Stanely commenced to take corrective measures prior to the incident occurring and that the racing manners of Soho Bollinger also contributed heavily. Stewards accordingly imposed a 2 week suspension of Mr Stanley’s licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence midnight 9 October 2021. Post-race veterinary examination of Go Dancing failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/ste...l/?mc=BN021021

Butt and Stanley looked after. Stanley really is an ordinary driver

[Messenger]

For the second time Ladies In Red really has been stitched up by the barriers in a big race
Barrier 10 has the worst record at Bendigo for the last 12mths with 12 wins from 193 starts
That is a 6.2% win rate or approximately 1 in 16
She is however better than 1 in 16

5 (Joanna) is the winningest barrier at 14.9% or better than 1 in every 7

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/tracks/bendigo/

[Messenger]

Is Chris Alford driving Beach Music or Leer in the Oaks, at present he is listed as driving both