Australia: Amy's Shadow starts from good spot in Parkes Cup

Amy’s Shadow drew post 6 in a field of 12 in the Parkes Cup at a mile at tiny Parkes Racecourse in Australia on Sunday.

A middle position in the gate is about as far outside as anyone would prefer in a race that begins on the first turn of the track, which has a circumference of 1 1/4 miles.

Amy’s Shadow, a winner of 4 of 15 starts, was the 8-5 favorite in early betting on Friday. A 4-year-old mare trained by Brett Thompson, Amy’s Shadow has a stalking style, which should allow jockey Grant Buckley to save vital ground in the opening furlong, before the field settles on the backstretch of the right-handed track.

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The Parkes Cup, which dates to 1887, will have a maximum field of 12 including Pecuniary Interest and Hit the Target, veterans who frequently appear in minor cup races at the smaller tracks in the state of New South Wales.

Pecuniary Interest, who breaks from post 11, is another runner that will be at the back of the field in the first half-mile. A winner of 5 of 15 starts, Pecuniary Interest is winless in five starts since the Bathurst Cup at 1 1/8 miles at Bathurst Racecourse last September. He is the midst of the longest losing streak of his career.

Hit the Target, who carries top weight of 136.6 pounds, won a six-furlong handicap at Newcastle Racecourse on April 10 to end a six-race losing streak, but followed with a last-place finish at odds of 16-1 in the Tamworth Cup at seven furlongs at Tamworth Racecourse on April 23.

Hit the Target drew post 4 and is quick enough to gain an advantageous position in the opening furlongs.

Parkes typically has eight days of racing annually, while Casterton, which has a 10-race program on Sunday, races four times each year.

Sunday’s mixed flat and jump card at Casterton is led by the Two Rivers Steeplechase at 2 3-8 miles.

Lucques, Mr Coyne and Police Camp, who were third through fifth in the prestigious Brierly Chase at 2 3/16 miles at Warrnambool Racecourse on May 4, lead the Two Rivers field.

The Parkes program begins at 10:10 p.m., Eastern, or 7:10 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Casterton begins slightly earlier, at 9:05 p.m., Eastern. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.