Bendigo plays host to their feature meeting of the carnival, with the listed Bendigo Guineas and Golden Mile the standouts in a stacked nine race program.
The track is currently rated a Soft 7 after rain in Melbourne throughout the week. However, with sunny weather on Friday and Saturday punters can expect participants to be met with a drying racing surface.
The rail is situated in the true position for the entire circuit and at this set-up, the track should play fairly.
The best bet on the entire program comes up here in the opening event, with the deserved early favourite Second Slip going around here for Adelaide trainer Will Clarken.
This very talented NZ import is having his fifth start for the campaign, following three straight wins and a very gallant minor placing last start at Morphetteville in the Listed Matrice Stakes behind Night Raid.
On that day, he was forced to settle in behind the speed which is not his most comfortable position, given he likes to bowl along out in the lead.
Night Raid was able to slip away on the turn and although Second Slip got close on the line, he was unable to cut far enough into the deficit to win.
He comes here rock hard fit and is now out to 1400m for the first time in Australia, which at this stage looks like a very suitable move.
The manner in which he won over 1300m at Sandown three back suggests the distance will pose no problems.
He maps perfect from barrier 7. Look for him to jump and land right outside his main rival Groundswell.
Expect him to show his usual tenacity late and be too strong in the final stages.
Looks like we are getting a very generous price about the favourite here in Need New Friends, who is sixth-up into what has been a very consistent and fruitful prep so far.
Having recorded four second places and a BM70 win at Sandown in what was a good form reference, this mare has been right on the money in all starts this prep.
Last start at Group 3 level, she just missed in a driving finish with Chaillot who then went on to run the fastest last 800m of the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.
She is rock hard fit here and comes to a much more suitable race sticking to the 1400m journey.
The map looks excellent and you can expect her to jump and lead in an event where there are not many go-forward horses.
She should be able to control this tempo to suit herself from the front, which will take her a long way.
The wetter track is likewise preferred, with a 4:2-1-0 record on soft tracks compared to only one win from ten starts on dry ground.
She rates much higher than any other runner in this race, with the only exception possibly being Chantrea who is first-up in Victoria and has not had any jump outs.
Every other horse in this race would need to produce a new career peak rating by a solid margin to be knocking off this favourite.
I have her marked an odds-on qoute, and expect her to be justifying that as well.
For a list of all the tipsters who have posted Bendigo tips for Saturday's racing meet, checkout the dedicated page at theGreatTipOff.com.