A week after taking out the Geelong Cup, the UK-based Godolphin stable of Charlie Appleby added the $300,000 Group 3 Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m) to its spring haul, with Francis of Assisi was too good for his eight rivals on Wednesday.
The bold-striding English galloper is the first international horse to win the event.
After settling outside the leader, Francis of Assisi poured on the pressure and took the lead prior to the bend, setting up too big a break for Second Bullet (trained by Danny O’Brien) and Our Century (Robert Hickmott) to bridge. He won by three lengths.
 Local galloper Desert Samurai finished a gallant sixth for Adam O’Neill.
Francis of Assisi is expected to start next in either the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington on Saturday week or the Sandown Cup a week later.
Wednesday’s track played fairly and was a credit to track manager Bernard Hopkins.
The club is scheduled to race next on Wednesday November 9.
Go Down goes boom
For the second consecutive year, locals Brendon Hearps and Brad Rawiller have combined to salute on Bendigo Cup day, this year with progressive mare Go Down.
First up from a spell, the daughter of Churchill Downs was a dominant five-length winner after being specked to start at $7 in the Bet365 F&M BM70 Handicap (1100m).
Rawiller settled back in the small field and Go Down burst away once clear to beat odds-on favourite Strykinglee and fellow local Flying Spark who ran second in the race last year.
“Coming into the straight she was bolting. It was just a matter of getting the luck — there wasn’t much room but she just made it happen,” Rawiller told Racing.com
Rawiller’s father, trainer Keith, still resides in Bendigo and Brad was glad to pilot a winner on the club’s big day.
“It gives me good pleasure to get a winner on Bendigo Cup day and for Brendon Hearps, who is a long-time mate.”
Hearps and Rawiller combined on Bendigo Cup day 2015 to win a benchmark 64 with Money Clip.

Sevira strikes again

The Allen Browell-trained Our Sevira made it two wins on the trot when she took a benchmark 64 last Thursday at Swan Hill.
The daughter of Magnus had been a strong winner four weeks earlier at Murtoa and, in similarly gritty fashion, proved too tough for her rivals over the 1200 metres at Swan Hill. 
Our Sevira ($4.40) settled close to the speed under apprentice Liam Riordan and chased down $3.10 favourite Zolani in the final bounds. 
“Allen said she’d hit a flat spot at the 600 metres but then she hit the line really well … she’s very honest,” Riordan told Racing.com.
Riordan, 19, has now ridden 17 winners.
Our Sevira has had six starts for three wins and $42,150 in earnings.
Worth the wait
The connections of Zen Mistress were rewarded for their patience when the four-year-old mare won on debut for Rod Symons in the $20,000 Hygain Maiden Plate (975m) at Swan Hill.
Specked in betting into $11, the daughter of Ad Valorem was partnered by Linda Meech, who rode a double at the meeting. 
After finding her feet back in the field from an inside draw, the chestnut stuck to the fence and stuck her head out to score.
Symons purchased Zen Mistress for $7000 in 2013. Thanks to the VOBIS Gold scheme, her connections received a handsome $27,000 return from her debut.
Back in the saddle
Thanks to Toby Lake for doing a great job in my absence, while I focused on the Cox Plate carnival in my day job at Moonee Valley.
The Victorian picnic circuit opens this weekend at Healesville, and Toby looks to have a good book of rides. Good luck, mate, and to all participants.