Australia: Aspen Colorado can get back in win column at Donald Racecourse

Aspen Colorado is a 4-year-old German-bred gelding racing in Australia with an easy name to remember but a recent race record of near misses.

After winning a maiden race last September in his final start of 2021, and third career race, Aspen Colorado has been second or third in four starts this year, always finishing within 3 1/2 lengths of the winner.

The losing streak can end in a one-mile handicap on Monday at Donald Racecourse in a small town of the same name northwest of Melbourne.

As of Saturday, Aspen Colorado was the 6-5 favorite in early betting, a clear choice in a race that lacks other standout runners.

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Aspen Colorado, trained by Lindsey Smith, tends to run as a stalker and is unlikely to be prominent early at Donald. Aspen Colorado drew post 11 in a field of 12.

Aspen Colorado nearly won for the second time in his career in a handicap at about seven furlongs at Geelong Racecourse on June 17 in his latest start. Aspen Colorado was beaten a head by Hearts and Minds, who led in the stretch.

If an outside draw hampers Aspen Colorado in any manner, Bannerton could be well positioned in post 4. A winner of 2 of 22 starts, Bannerton runs from off the pace and displayed that style when second in a one-mile handicap at Swan Hill on June 11, his first start since late January.

Lady Ardoyne, one of seven fillies and mares in the field, was 9-1 on Saturday, but is more of an unknown element. Lady Ardoyne won her 10th start in a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic course at Ballarat Racecourse on June 14, and was seventh of eight in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs there on June 28 in her debut against winners.

In eight starts on turf, Lady Ardoyne’s best result was a second at six furlongs in March. She tends to run near the front and can have a role in the outcome if she handles grass.

Donald has a nine-race program beginning at 10:30 p.m. Eastern or 7:30 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.