Talented Geelong stayer Sertorius looks set to grab the biggest win of his career in this afternoon’s $240,000 Listed Bendigo Cup (2400m).
It’s always a curious race given its only six days prior to the Melbourne Cup, and this year’s edition is no different with a collection of different formlines merging together.
No doubt the race will be much closer than 12 months ago when Puissance De Lune streeted away to win this by eight lengths.
He produced a Timeform figure of 113+ winning that race, easily the highest winning figure in recent times.
Sertorius certainly isn’t in Puissance De Lune’s class but he won’t need to be to be winning today’s edition of the Bendigo Cup.
In saying that, he could potentially run to a new peak today over the mile and a half for the first time – a trip which looks to suit him down to the ground.
He’s fourth-up going into the race, and comes into this after finishing second to Pakal in the Cranbourne Cup (2025m) 17 days back where he produced a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 114.
He settled well back on that occasion and looked a bit flat footed 600m from home before tracking three wide around the bend and grinding home to the line finishing 2.3L off the German import.
That came after he ran second to Blackie at Moonee Valley over 1500m last month, an unsuitable track and distance, before Blackie went on to run third in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Now he gets his chance in what should be a true staying test.
Mourayan’s initial position in the field, prior to his scratching, compressed the weights so Sertorius only has to lug 55.5kg. That’s 2.5kg less than what he had in the Cranbourne Cup.
He also has a favourable record at this track having placed three times in three starts, and has won two of three starts fourth-up.
This is his chance to claim a major race win, and he looks poised to take it.
He has an interesting field to beat though.
Robert Smerdon’s Verdant deserves respect off his narrow second placing in last week’s Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m).
He led most the trip on the wet track and was only ground down late on by Ibicenco after looking the winner 200m from home.
The run produced a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 117, his best performance since moving to Australia last year.
Verdant is lightly weighted again today carrying just 54.5kg and don’t be surprised if he sets the tempo again out in front.
Expect him to run another bold race.
Lloyd Williams import Massiyn is the curious runner.
He’s beaten one horse home in two starts since moving to Australia, but they’ve been over unsuitable trips.
Most recently he was fourth of five in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), beaten 13 lengths by Atlantic Jewel running to a weight-adjusted figure of 109 but that was still a bit short for him.
His best form overseas came over a mile and a half and beyond, with a narrow second in last year’s Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m) his best result.
He beat home Melbourne Cup fancies Brown Panther and Simenon in that race, so he clearly has some kind of ability.
The Williams approach of compressing the weights with Mourayan looks to have set things up nicely for Massiyn to run a big race here.
He might just blow them out of the water.
Developing Peter Moody stayer Kesampour is the other one worth thought today.
He’s still learning his craft and comes through the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) where he seemed to have his chance finishing 2.3L behind Sea Moon.
The run produced a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 112 so he’ll need to improve, but don’t put it past him.
