Australia: Ashford Street cuts back in Cranbourne handicap

In his brief career, Ashford Street has developed a sharp rally that has led to three wins in seven starts in Australia, all since mid-July.

The three victories have been in races at 5 1/2 furlongs and have been achieved by at least a length. That kick may serve Ashford Street well when he starts in the shortest race of his career in a five-furlong handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on Thursday.

Trained by Simon Ryan, Ashford Street was a slight favorite in a field of 10 as of Tuesday. Cranbourne has an eight-race program that begins at 11:30 p.m. Eastern, or 8:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday.

Ashford Street drew post 5, which should be ideal for his style at Cranbourne where five-furlong races are run on a left-handed course around a turn. (A few Australian tracks run five-furlong races on a straightaway).

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A 4-year-old gelding, Ashford Street will be ridden by his regular rider, apprentice Tatum Bull. From July 23 through Tuesday, Bull won six races from 50 mounts, including two races in the last week.

Rattle and Bang, winner of a five-furlong handicap at a slightly lower class level at Cranbourne on July 22, is likely to set the pace. A 4-year-old gelding, Rattle and Bang has won 2 of 6 starts and has been prominent in each of his races.

Rattle and Bang should be joined at the front by the 3-year-old filly See You in Spring, a winner 2 of 4 starts.

Trained at Cranbourne by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, See You in Spring won her debut in a five-furlong maiden race for Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds at Cranbourne in April and won the Without Fear Stakes at 5 1/4 furlongs at Morphettville a little more than two weeks later.

See You in Spring was later sixth in the Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic in May, and only 11th of 14 in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old fillies at Caulfield on Aug. 14.

If See You in Spring can handle competing against older males, she can be a factor at a distance she has shown to prefer.