The feature race at Bendigo this Saturday is the Golden Mile (1600m), which the market says it is an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Golden Mile.
2026 Golden Mile Runner Preview:
1. Osipenko: Osipenko is flying for Chris Waller and should take beating after a first up placing in the Victoria Handicap when off speed and worked home strongly late in the piece behind Hughes. Fitter and up in trip, he only runs well.
2. Von Hauke: Thought he was sneaky good in his return at Caulfield behind Hughes. Tick over jumpout was strong, he’ll be strong late…a win wouldn’t shock.
3. Hughes: Got the A1 run/ride to win the Victoria Handicap. That was 1400m. Now at the mile, a hard mile, and I say he’ll struggle.
4. Holymanz: Hit and miss but his best is clearly good enough. Just want to see him do it now.
5. Zahrann: High class former Irish galloper making his Aussie debut. Extensive jumpout work to get ready, he’s a huge yard/market watch.
6. Al Duca: Loved the way he toughed it out to win at Caulfield last time…just the query of how much petrol is left in the tank.
7. Scheelite: Outclassed in the Doncaster and is much better suited here. Similar to Al Duca though, has he got anything left for the campaign.
8. Enxuto: Just about the most talented horse in the race. But, he has an awful racing style, which sealed his fate re getting a start in the Doncaster. If he brings his best, he can win, clearly.
9. El Rocko: SCR
10. Coastwatch: Think his better days are behind him.
11. Wonder Boy: Wonder Boy has found confidence and he can go on with it. That win came two weeks back at Mornington where he was ridden like a good thing and duly saluted in dominant fashion. He’s flying this horse and commands respect.
12. Verdad: Honest animal that is around the mark…but very hard to trust.
13. Chief Little Rock: Chief Little Rock was too bad to be true when resuming in the City Of Adelaide at Morphettville. He landed on speed and tried hard but just couldn’t quite see it through and dropped out rather badly. Had jumped out well super prior so I am not dismissing.
14. Shockletz: Shockletz is a Ciaron Maher trained mare that resumes. This girl is first up, having not raced since Pakenham Cup Day when giving them a start and a beating in scoring. Likely will spot them a start but should be quite strong at the end.
2026 Golden Mile $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Wonder Boy
Golden Mile Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSIPENKO (NZ) | Chris Waller | Fred Kersley | 11 | 60kg |
| 2 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Harry Coffey | 6 | 60kg |
| 3 | HUGHES | Gavin Bedggood | Jett Stanley | 9 | 59kg |
| 4 | HOLYMANZ (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 1 | 57.5kg |
| 5 | ZAHRANN (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Thomas Stockdale | 5 | 57.5kg |
| 6 | AL DUCA | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Declan Bates | 14 | 57kg |
| 7 | SCHEELITE | Ken & Kasey Keys | Jordan Childs | 13 | 57kg |
| 8 | ENXUTO | Robbie Griffiths | Patrick Moloney | 3 | 56kg |
| 10 | COASTWATCH | Reece Goodwin | Luke Cartwright (a) | 4 | 54kg |
| 11 | WONDER BOY | Jerome Hunter | Craig Newitt | 7 | 54kg |
| 12 | VERDAD | Robbie Griffiths | Beau Mertens | 2 | 54kg |
| 13 | CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Zac Spain | 10 | 54kg |
| 14 | SHOCKLETZ (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Logan Bates (a) | 12 | 54kg |
Golden Mile Odds
2026 Golden Mile Speed Map
Think they’ll go hard here. El Rocko loves to roll on speed and lead, so I dare say he takes it up. He will have company chasing him with Scheelite and Al Duca pressing forward. Verdad and Holymanz should lob into beaut spots just in behind.