Australia: All eyes on Scholl Deep in Monday handicap

After a narrow loss at 12-1 in her late-July debut, the filly Scholl Deep dominated a field of maidens at Gunnedah Racecourse in Australia in mid-August, pulling clear to win by nearly four lengths as an odds-on favorite.

She will be favored to record another win in her first start against winners in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle on Monday evening.

Scholl Deep, trained by David Atkins, was the 8-5 favorite in early betting on Sunday in a field of 10. This will be the longest race of her career after the win against maidens at 6 1/4 furlongs.

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Scholl Deep figures to be handy for jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who has the mount for the first time. Scholl Deep raced in third early in the Gunnison win.

While Scholl Deep has promising credentials, two of her primary rivals – A Silvery Warrior and Jabali Belle – have more experience.

A Silvery Warrior was beaten in four starts in Hong Kong in 2021, missed all of 2022, and won his Australian debut in a maiden race at Gosford Racecourse on July 13.

A 7-year-old gelding, A Silvery Warrior followed with a fourth-place finish in a handicap at six furlongs on the infield Beaumont course at Newcastle on Aug. 14, losing by slightly more than 1 3/4 lengths after a slow start.

Jabali Belle, a 5-year-old mare, is winless in five starts since a victory in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury in May. Jabali Belle was fourth by 1 1/2 lengths in a one-mile handicap at Newcastle on Aug. 19, closing well to just miss a third-place finish in her best result against winners.

Newcastle has a seven-race program beginning at 11:20 p.m. Eastern or 8:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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