Australia: Atlantic Ocean faces class test at favorite track

The 4-year-old gelding Atlantic Ocean’s brief career has been defined by his success at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney, Australia.

Atlantic Ocean won a maiden race there in his fourth start in October 2022, and won for the second time in his career in a seven-furlong handicap at Warwick Farm on Nov. 22.

Atlantic Ocean has started five times at Warwick Farm in his 16-race career, and is back at the venue for a tougher race than his last start in a seven-furlong handicap on Tuesday evening.

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The handicap is part of a six-race program that begins at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Atlantic Ocean, from the stable of leading Australian trainer Chris Waller, faces a class hike compared to his win on Nov. 22 when he closed from seventh in a field of 11 to win by a neck at 7-1.

Atlantic Ocean is held in higher esteem on Tuesday evening. In early betting on Monday, he was the 3-1 second choice behind 5-2 Sumo Star in a field of eight.

Sumo Star, trained at Warwick Farm by Gary Portelli, was third in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Canterbury Park on Nov. 24 in his first start since August. Sumo Star stalked the pace and was beaten slightly more than two lengths.

Sumo Star beat maidens in his ninth career start in June and has lost his last five races. In his 14 starts, Sumo Star has finished second or third nine times, often leading or stalking the pace.

Tuesday’s race is a vital class drop for the 4-year-old filly The Seven Seas, who finished seventh of nine at 20-1 in the Ladies Day Stakes for fillies and mares at 7 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Nov. 9.

Trained by John Sargent, The Seven Seas won for the fourth time in her career as recently as Oct. 10 in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Newcastle on Oct. 10, closing from eighth in a field of 10.

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