Sertorius Heads Bendigo Cup 2013 Betting – Mourayan Out

Cranbourne Cup runner-up Sertorius has opened narrow favourite to win Wednesday’s 2013 Bendigo Cup with top-weight Mourayan also scratched from the midweek feature.

Sertorius is favourite to win Wednesday's Bendigo Cup 2013. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

The only horse in this year’s original $240,000 Listed Bendigo Cup (2400m) still in the Melbourne Cup 2013 mix, the Lloyd Williams-owned Mourayan was to have carried 61.5kg on Wednesday.

They’ve since been withdrawn but could still race on the weekend having been dually nominated for the $1 million Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and $300,000 Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington.

Mourayan is also one of six horses among the second acceptances for the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday November 5 for owner Williams and his head trainer Robert Hickmott.

With Mourayan, who was drawn in gate one of 13, out the Bendigo Cup betting markets are led by $4.40 favourite Sertorius who will jump from gate four with Ryan Maloney in the saddle.

Bruce Elkington’s Galileo gelding has run second in their past two starts, most recently behind German import Pakal in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m) on October 13.

They also have previous Bendigo form when second over 1300m here in March last year.

There are then four other single-figure Bendigo Cup chances with:

#2 Kesampour ($5.50) – Peter Moody-trained import ran second to Mr O’Ceirin in the Naturalism Stakes two back before their credible fifth to Melbourne Cup fancy Sea Moon in the Herbert Power over 2400m on October 12 – form that is tipped to stand up
#8 Gotta Take Care ($7) – In-form nine-year-old, the veteran has run top three in their past four runs since August including back-to-back Moonee Valley wins, last start produced a game third to the James & Bart Cummings-trained Precedence
#9 Verdant ($7) – Robert Smerdon-trained seven-year-old has form around some nice types including a third in the Queensland Cup over the two miles in the winter and their good last start second to Ibicenco in the Geelong Cup last Wednesday
#6 Bit Of Hell ($9) – Mick Price-trained Naturalism Stakes third placegetter looking to improve on their eighth in the Cranbourne Cup

Just outside of these in the Bendigo Cup odds are then the likes of 52-start veteran Tuscan Fire ($10), the Gai Waterhouse-trained Hippopuss ($10), Williams’ other runner Massiyn ($11) and Folding Gear ($12) making for a very open race.

See below for the latest Bendigo Cup field and odds, prices you can lock in now by following the links on your selections to Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll also get double the Melbourne Cup odds from Saturday afternoon onwards!