BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1800m

GILDED WATER / SHOCKLETZ / PUDDING

King Charlie's horse GILDED WATER hit the endurance trail over the Cup period after blazing away in late 2024. The royally-bred FASTNET ROCK gelding was solid winning over 1800m at Caulfield in Sept, then backed that up running clear over 2000m. Tired for 3rd in the Bart Cummings (2350m) then overhauled late in the Geelong Cup (2400m) before a well-earned spell. Trainer Ciaron Maher is clearly impressed with how well he's come up after Gilded Water’s recent 1400-metre trial win. The focus is the spring so likely to improve in a light campaign.

☆☆☆☆☆

SHOCKLETZ flashed home late at Bendigo and is set to improve as she steps up in distance. A strong return in the feature from the Ciaron Maher-trained mare, who has shown plenty of promise in previous campaigns. Restrained to the rear early, Shockletz settled last in the 12-horse field and was held up from the 400m until the 150m before charging late to finish within half a length of the winner Von Hauke.

☆☆☆

Craig Williams will ride the team Jolly trained PUDDING, a TAVISTOCK gelding who has been running very well of late. Nice win first up this prep at Morphettville and chased solidly up to the mile there. Picked up strongly to just miss in the Cummings Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville last start, and that was a nice field. Not the easiest teip to Victoria but he is bred to stay all day and won't stop trying.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

PUNCH LANE / BIG SWINGER / KING ZEPHYR

Anthony & Sam Freedman had their SO YOU THINK gelding PUNCH LANE running through walls last season, steaming away to win over 1500m at Randwick before taking out the Gr.3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) ahead of OSIPENKO. Had a crack at the Stradbroke but weakened out and was afforded a long spell. Plenty of trial work with a slow build up before resuming in the Wangoom at Warrnambool, but was trapped four wide without cover and did well to circle them and close back late. Sheer class says 2nd-up is the go and any rain about won't hurt his chances.

☆☆☆☆

BIG SWINGER had a 2/2 record to commence his career for Charlotte Littlefield, both victories over 1200m at Ballarat. With each race, he demonstrated improvement, suggesting that he will thrive in the 1400m distance. Finished 2nd in the Fisher Stakes at Flemington, then went full bore late when running 3rd in the Testa Rossa at Caulfield. Pounced on them at Flemington shouldering his way through four wide and kept kicking despite chasing stride to win with some authority.

☆☆☆

It is imperative for KING ZEPHYR to secure a victory in this race to be considered a contender for the Stradbroke. His previous performance at Flemington saw him finish second, having made up significant ground late in the race behind BIG SWINGER. This appears to be a big day for the team, and there is confidence that he can win before proceeding to the G1. Very talented at best, although this gate wide looks a trap.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 2400m

HOUDINI / BLUESTONE / ALDER

With the 1.5kg claim HOUDINI will be well-favoured down on 52.5kg and his form has been rock solid for Gavin Bedggood. Won at Pakenham in Feb over 2000m carrying 60kg, then has another crack for second. Runner-up at Geelong before winning here over 2100m carrying 58kg. Too far back last start and now ready to produce a better staying effort on this light weight.

☆☆☆☆

BLUESTONE has been freshened up a few times this prep as the RELIABLE MAN gelding develops more staying strength and his 2nd at Caulfield in March was sound but a little one-paced. Under pressure from the 800m over 2500m at Flemington in April, with the rider advising more give in the track would be beneficial. Michael Kent will be hoping for some rain and a much improved performance.

☆☆☆

ALDER has been fantastic since resuming in February for the Busuttin/Young team, finishing 2nd to ZAKOUMA over 2000m at Flemington before staying best right to the line winning at Terang. Improved from midfield in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) and was outbobed late coming down the centre of the track. The AUSTRALIA gelding should be match harden by now and is another suited by a wet track.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1600m

ANGRY SKIES / NARBOLD / FARHH FLUNG

Quite fancy the chances of the Hayes runner ANGRY SKIES at really big odds and he is a little underrated in our opinion and was solid for 4th coming to town last start. Won well at Warracknabeal in April then struck the Heavy Warrnambool track. May not be a world beater and often needs things to fall his way, although drawn the ace gate and may be the one arriving late on the line.

☆☆☆

Hard to ignore the class of the Waller horse NARBOLD, who ran a top race for 2nd to MAKDANE at Caulfield when electing to come on the inside which didn't help his chances much. On hindsight, McNeil should have shifted outside, but he should be even sharper 2nd up and his form in the spring was top notch. Does look the best horse in the field by a stretch and a repeat of that last performance has him winning.

☆☆☆☆☆

FARHH FLUNG appears to be a promising contender with good each-way potential. His previous performance at Caulfield demonstrated considerable merit, especially considering he started slowly and was compelled to race on the inside, which was the less favourable ground. He showed remarkable effort to finish as closely as he did. With a clean start, he could position himself into a winning spot.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1400m

ROADCONE / DUCHESS ZOU / MOMETZ

This last race on the card is a bit of a minefield, however, we do believe ROADCONE appears to be a suitable choice, having previously competed over this distance at Flemington, finishing behind BIG SWINGER. The horse secured a favourable position during the race and demonstrated considerable effort, though its condition ultimately gave out. With improved fitness and a claim, he looks a fair chance at odds.

☆☆☆☆

Forget DUCHESS ZOU went around last start as the mare was looming up over 1300m at Bendigo, before getting squeezed out. Chased hard the previous two over 1200m at Cranbourne and Caulfield and with the 3kg claim she should hold plenty of juice in the tank for the final stretch. Always tough to rely on an inexperienced apprentice, but the ZOUSTAR mare should be suitably fit.

☆☆☆

One horse that we have always tried to catch is MOMETZ, a PIERRO gelding from the Moody/Coleman camp. Super strong coming from the back to win two in a row earlier in the year at Pakenham and Caulfield-Hillside before a tidy 3rd at Flemington where the race shape didn't suit. Held up badly resuming and ran into a dead end at Flemington, so forgive that effort and expect much better here. Really like his chances of featuring on Saturday and a top multi anchor.

☆☆

BEST BET: GILDED WATER

NEXT BEST: NARBOLD

BEST VALUE: ROADCONE

WILDCARD: PUNCH LANE