LOCAL hopes will be light on the ground for Wednesday's eight-race card at the Bendigo Jockey Club.
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But at least one home-track galloper will enter the day with a strong chance of success courtesy of the Jarrod Robinson-trained The Wrangler.
Robinson is targeting the Donna Philpot Memorial Benchmark 64 Handicap with the four-year-old gelding, who is dropping back in class from a benchmark 70 at Sandown earlier in the month.
The race honours the much-loved Bendigo racing identity and former jockey, who died in a track accident at Bendigo, in 2017.
It has been run three times since, with Kym Hann becoming the first Bendigo trainer to win the race last year, when he quinellaed the event with Elmore Lad and She's Beneficial.
She's Beneficial was ridden by Donna's daughter Jessie Philpot, who will require some luck to be part of this year's field, with her mount Circulate the current sixth emergency.
The Wrangler, to be ridden by Madison Lloyd, will be aiming to add a third win in six starts following wins at Swan Hill in April, Bendigo in May and Donald last month, before finishing fifth, just 3.6 lengths from the winner, in mid-week metropolitan grade at Sandown earlier this month.
A win would cap a nice first season based in Bendigo for Robinson, who enters the day with 10 winners and 25 placings.
His exciting sprinter Reard and city winner Mean Mister are among the nominations for Saturday's meeting at Moonee Valley.
Read more: Kym Hann quinella in Donna Philpot Memorial
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