Bendigo Pacing Cup, Maori Mile attract high-quality fields

The $70,000 Group Two Bendigo Pacing Cup has attracted a high-quality field, while the $50,000 Group One Maori Mile brings together a field of elite trotters, including million dollar earner Tornado Valley.

The Cup field is headed by Inter-Dominion finalists Spirit Of St Louis and Triple Eight.

Spirit Of St Louis has drawn perfectly in gate two and opened a $2.80 favourite with tab.com.au.

Triple Eight is drawn a little awkwardly in gate five and is a $5 second favourite.

Bendigo trainer Julie Douglas has two runners in the Cup, with Torrid Saint a great each-way chance after drawing the pole.

To be driven by John Caldow, Torrid Saints is a $6.50 chance to win the Cup.

Douglas' second runner, the consistent Rick Reilly, has drawn gate four for the very much in-form Ellen Tormey.

Leading trainer Emma Stewart has two runners in the Cup.

While Demon Delight (gate four) is rated the better option in terms of the betting market, Stewart's second runner Phoenix Prince will garner plenty of interest.

Runner-up in the Bendigo Pacing Cup last year, Phoenix Prince hasn't raced for the best part of a year.

The now eight-year-old won the Shepparton, Cranbourne and Geelong cups at his last preparation.

Tornado Valley looks set to start a short-priced favourite in the Maori Mile.

After drawing gate one, the Andy Gath-trained trotter opened up a $2.25 favourite.

Tornado Valley's biggest rival will be the Belinda McCarthy-trained Aldebaran Revani, who has won its past six starts.

The Maori Mile includes veteran trotter Sundons Courage, trained at Muckleford by Chris Angove.

Bendigo Harness Racing Club general manager Erik Hendrix said the club, while keeping one eye on the COVID-19 situation in Victoria, was prepared for a big Cup night.

"Upstairs is booked out, but there's still some outside packages available,'' Hendrix said.

"Bookings are essential, so to book tickets people can ring through or jump on our website.

"For general admission, ideally, we'd like people to pre-book through our website.

"In these COVID-19 times, people need to be double vaxxed, show proof of vaccination and wear masks inside.

"We're looking forward to a great night. The fields are fantastic and there should be a great atmosphere."

The first of nine races on Saturday night is scheduled for 6.24pm, with the Maori Mile at 8.42pm and the Bendigo Pacing Cup at 9.35pm.

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