Australia: Amy's Shadow gets weight break in Gooree Cup

A hefty weight assignment took a toll on Amy’s Shadow in a seven-furlong handicap at Bathurst Racecourse in Australia on April 25. Carrying 131 pounds, eight more than in her previous start, she finished seventh of nine.

The conditions of the Gooree Cup, also a handicap, are kinder to Amy’s Shadow on Sunday at Mudgee Racecourse, northwest of Sydney. The seven-furlong Gooree Cup drew a field of 12. Amy’s Shadow will carry minimum weight of 122 pounds, well below starting topweight A Magic Zariz at 135.5 pounds.

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Amy’s Shadow has won 4 of 14 starts, all for trainer Brett Thompson, but is winless in five starts since a victory in a one-mile handicap at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney last October.

Amy’s Shadow, a 4-year-old mare, tends to run from the back of the field and has been third twice at Mudgee, a racecourse centered in a wine-producing region of the country.

The Gooree Cup is the sixth of seven races on a program that begins at 11:15 p.m. Eastern, or 8:15 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Herzegovina, a winner of 6 of 33 starts, may go favored. A 6-year-old gelding, Herzegovina won a minor handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Merriwa Racecourse on April 24 for his second win in his last five starts. He can race near the front or as a stalker.

Mackellar’s Love, a 7-year-old mare, is quick enough to lead and approaches the race in sharp form. Mackellar’s Love led throughout a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on March 26, recording a 50-1 upset in her first start since August.

Mackellar’s Love is unbeaten in two starts at Mudgee, the most recent of which was a seven-furlong handicap last July.