Australia: Always In tries one mile for first time in Monday handicap

A one-mile handicap at Scone Racecourse in Australia on Monday evening will be a stamina test for the lightly raced filly Always In.

Always In will start at the distance for the first time following two promising races in seven-furlong handicaps at Newcastle in June. Always In was fourth by 1 2/3 lengths on June 3, and second by 2 1/4 lengths on June 24. In both races, Always In closed from off the pace to gain her best position at the finish.

At Scone, Always In is likely to be the second choice behind the equally promising Queen Astrid, the winner of a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury on June 11 in her sixth start.

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Similar to Always In, Queen Astrid tends to run from off the pace. The race at Scone will be her first start at a mile. Prior to her win, Queen Astrid closed from off the pace to finish third in maiden races at six furlongs at Kembla Grange on May 13 and seven furlongs at Warwick Farm on May 31.

Always In and Queen Astrid are part of a field of 12 in the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:10 p.m. Eastern or 7:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

They are likely to be in pursuit of Monte Outlander, who led throughout a one-mile maiden race at Sapphire Coast on Jan. 28 in his final start prior to a layoff of more than three months.

Since returning to racing in mid-May, Monte Outlander is winless in three starts, the most recent of which was a promising second in a one-mile handicap at Nowra Racecourse on June 20. Monte Outlander was second early and was beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

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