Howard Be Thy Name’s Melbourne Cup credentials will be put to the test in Wednesday’s Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m).
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The Darren Weir-trained stayer is already qualified for the Melbourne Cup, but he needs to regain his best form at Bendigo for Weir to press on towards the race that stops the nation.
In three runs this campaign Howard Be Thy Name has struggled to recapture the form that saw him win the South Australian Derby in the autumn.
Wednesday’s event has only attracted nine acceptors and Howard Be Thy Name, the topweight for the Cup with 58kg, looks set to challenge the lightly-raced Lloyd Williams-owned Our Century for favouritism.
Weir and Williams have won four Bendigo cups between them in the past 12 years and punters think one of them will add another trophy to the cabinet on Wednesday.
Our Century is the early favourite at $2.50 with Crownbet, while Howard Be Thy Name is on the second line of betting at $3.80.
Our Century, to be ridden by the in-form Katelyn Mallyon, was impressive in winning a restricted race at Caulfield over 2400m last start. The six-year-old races on the pace and has a three kilogram advantage over Howard Be Thy Name at the weights.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Second Bullet is on the third line of betting at $5.50.
Second Bullet drops in class after running in the Group One Turnbull Stakes last start and he will appreciate the expected good surface.
Godolphin representative Francis Of Assisi has been kept safe in the market at $7.50.
Last-start city winner Ferro Nero ($11) and 2014 Bendigo Cup winner Bring Something ($12) are next best ahead of Caulfield Cup runner Go Dreaming ($18). Former Kiwi stayer Blizzard is at $41.
The Adam O’Neill-trained Desert Samurai will fly the flag for the locals. The Bendigo stayer is the lowest rated horse in the field and is the outsider of the field at $61.
The Cup is race eight on a 10-race program and is scheduled to start at 4pm.
Meanwhile, the support program has attracted quality fields with a strong local flavour.
Leading Bendigo trainers Shaun Dwyer, Shane Fliedner and Brian Gentle have strong winning chances, while Danny and Anne-Maree Curran, Kym Hann, Brad Cole, Brendon Hearps and Arthur Pace will also chase victories on their home track.
Sutton Grange-based trainer Paul Banks has three of his stable favourites engaged. The first race is scheduled for noon.