Goldfields: Fold is ready to roll
By Lachlan Chapman, October 23, 2018 - 10:22 AM

Another strong season on the picnic circuit is looming for Arthur Pace’s Street Cry gelding Fold.
 Fold produced a game second in a 2400-metre 0-58 handicap at Bendigo’s Beach Party raceday last Saturday.
On the quick back-up from Echuca five days earlier, Fold ($11) produced a sustained run and loomed to win, but was just edged out by Matthew Brown’s in-form galloper Kalalo. 
Pace’s daughter Courtney, the reigning premier jockey on the picnic circuit, won on Fold at Merton and Healesville last season. 
There should be more wins on the picnic circuit to come but on the strength of last Saturday’s run the horse isn’t out of place on the professional circuit.
Look out for Lily
Local trainer Andrew Sawden unveiled a promising prospect at Bendigo, Blooming Lily ($26) finding her way into many a black book after placing third in a benchmark 64 for three-year-old fillies.
The Written Tycoon filly was slow to begin and was held up momentarily at the top of the straight but once clear showed she has a motor by powering into the minor placing.
Adding merit to the performance, she was debuting out of maiden grade and was beaten by two arguably city-class fillies in Kings Brook and Tatiara.
Blooming Lily is going to be hard to beat in whatever race she contests next.
Cracker cup
This year’s Jayco Bendigo Cup is shaping as a mouth-watering race, due in large part to the number of internationals sweating on a Melbourne Cup start.
The Bendigo Cup looms as a “last-chance stakes” for those seeking a penalty to rise up the ballot order for the first Tuesday in November. 
On top of the internationals, prominent owners will most likely be returning.
Jayco owner and Bendigo boy Gerry Ryan almost always has a runner and could be represented by the promising Furrion.
The global giant Godolphin has won the past two editions with Francis of Assisi and Qewy.
Lloyd Williams is a long-time supporter of the race and will no doubt have representation.
The Jayco Bendigo Cup will be held next Wednesday, October 31.
Fun in the sun
The Bendigo Jockey Club has hailed this year’s Beach Party a success, with big crowd numbers enjoying what became a perfect spring day. 
The meeting is renowned for producing one of the biggest non-cup crowds in country racing, boosted by end-of-season football/netball club outings and visitors from all over Victoria.  Last Saturday was no exception, and there was plenty to please the purists as well.

Maestra all the way
Bendigo trainer Mick Sell looks to have a bright prospect on his hands in speedy mare La Maestra, a winner at Kilmore on Tuesday. 
Jumping from an outside barrier, La Maestra ($13) found the lead comfortably and ran her benchmark 58 rivals ragged.
She had led all the way win to break her maiden at Swan Hill at her previous start.
The mare looks a candidate for 55 Second Challenge races at The Valley over summer.

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