BOTTURA DEBUTS AT BENDIGO ON SUNDAY

Four runners for us at Bendigo on Sunday including Bottura, who makes his debut.

Bottura runs in race one, the 2YO Maiden Plate over 1100m with Nikita Beriman to ride.

The son of Falvelon is well practised and Mike Moroney has elected to start on a track rated heavy (8).

“I’ve decided to run even though it’s a heavy track as he’s drawn nicely in gate two and we get first use of the ground,” Moroney said.

“He’s certainly nice and fit and he’s got good gate speed so for me it’s how he handles the track.

“If he does then I expect him to be competitive and run well.”

Pollard runs in the same race with Patrick Moloney riding from barrier seven.

It is the first start this preparation for the son of Love Conquers All.

“I think he’ll handle the ground and he’s fit enough to go to the races,” Moroney said.

“It’s a tricky race to evaluate with a lot of first starters including one of our own but if he shows the gate speed he’s shown at home he should be able to put himself there.

“If he gets away and handles the ground then he has the talent to be in the finish.”

Real Gent (pictured) runs in race five, the Class 1 Handicap over 1300m with the in-form apprentice Thomas Stockdale reducing his weight to 57kg.

It is the second start this preparation for the import who was not beaten far when resuming over 1117m at Moe.

“He’s only had one start on a heavy surface in England and he won so you wold think the conditions should not be a problem,” Moroney said.

“He’s come on from that first-up run and the scratchings have helped with him jumping from six now.

“If he can get across and find a spot than I do think he can run well in what does not look an overly strong race.”

Meteor Light rounds out our day in race six, the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2200m with Nikita Beriman aboard in a field reduced to eight after scratchings.

The import finished fourth at Sandown last start over 2100m and has not missed a place in four starts on a heavy track.

“I’m really happy with him and he’s in good form,” Moroney said.

“He’s got conditions in his favour but it looks a decent field for this class. He should have finished closer last start but got held up in the straight so we’ll be looking to get him in the clear today.

“He’s nice and fit and has the right conditions so with ordinary luck in running I’m expecting him to be in the finish in what does look a handy race.”