2025 Bendigo Cup Day Tips & Preview

THANKS GORGEOUS (10) looks to have a serious class edge over her rivals here.

The Kavanagh-trained filly was placed at Group 3 level in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield in mid-August, laying in under pressure to hold on for third beaten just over three-quarters of a length.

The run prior when second to the talented Ole Dancer explains the short price on offer, alongside her recent jump out at Flemington that saw her peel three-wide and really accelerate well to cross the line in front.

Drawn a nice low gate and suited by the slightly soft conditions under foot, she’s the one to beat.

OBUCCI (5) is worth a mulligan in a very open race. 

Out of the Phillip Stokes yard, she was an impressive winner of her maiden two back at Sandown, finding the box seat early and really punching clear down the centre of the straight to go three-quarters of a length clear. 

Absolutely nothing went her way third-up in class at Caulfield back over 1200m, the wide gate not helping when she was last to greet the judge. 

She’s drawn barrier 4 here with Lachlan Neindorf back in the saddle, and there’s been plenty to like about the form from that previously mentioned Sandown win since. 

OPENING ADDRESS (3) is the best of an average bunch I feel. 

The son of So You Think is going on close to a year since he won on Cup Day last November with only five runs to his name since. 

He was first-up at Seymour three weeks ago when beaten nearly three lengths, finishing off only fairly after sticking to the rail under Thomas Stockdale, who retains the ride carrying the same 62kg again on Wednesday. 

A wet track would probably test him, but he’s won over the mile previously and typically gives an honest effort second-up.    

LEONCHROI (11) should be fancied coming off a dazzling effort for second at Seymour last time out over shorter. 

The lightly-raced four-year-old hooked wide into the straight after facing the breeze most of the way, eventually making up enormous ground to flash home late and finish within a length of the winner. 

He’s fourth-up now and ready to peak and just needs similar luck to play out from a sticky gate. With an even tempo expected on paper, Beau Mertens just needs to have him close enough to push the button and let his turn of foot do the talking.  

Hard to find fault with the recent form of LAKE FOREST (5). 

The Freedman-trained son of Written Tycoon has featured in the placings in three of his four starts this prep, seen running on last start at Seymour over 100m shorter right down the outside off a very wide run. 

He gets the blinkers on for the first time with 2kg off at the weights and looks open to natural improver now that Jamie Mott has a feel for him.  

SAYEDATY SADATY (4) just looks tailor-made to win a race like this. 

Ciaron Maher’s stayer is third-up following a run in the Bart Cummings, a race that was never run to suit given he was wide carrying 57kg off a tough effort in the Archer Stakes first-up over the same distance. 

He drops back to 54kg this time from a much better gate and looks likely to roll forward this time under Harry Coffey, who replaces Ben Melham in the saddle. 

It the Bart Cummings winner Valiant King going on to run third in the Caulfield Cup, the form stacks up well in what is no doubt a much easier race.  

KHADIME (15) is the first emergency and a genuine winning chance if she earns a spot. 

The Star Turn mare just found one better off a four-week break at Seymour last start, racing three-wide and hitting the front out of the turn, right before Dane On Tour got the better of her along the inside. 

She’s third-up now with improvement still to come under Lachlan Neindorf, who takes over for the first time from the wide gate. Since she likes to get back and run on, she could be swooping in very late here carrying just 55kg.