Australia: Azonto, Magnaprime renew rivalry in Tasmanian Guineas

Azonto and Magnaprime have developed a blooming rivalry on the Australian island of Tasmania in recent months.

They have met three times since mid-October, with Magnaprime finishing in front twice. Azonto beat Magnaprime by a half-length when they were first and second in their last meeting, an allowance race on Dec. 11.

The two Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds will have their first starts in a stakes in Thursday’s $77,387 Tasmanian Guineas at a mile at Hobart Racecourse.

Not surprisingly, they were the 2-1 co-favorites in early betting on Wednesday in a field of 10. Their respective strategies will be familiar. Magnaprime, a gelding who starts from post 7, will race on or near the lead, while Azonto, a filly, will be closing. She starts in post 1.

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Azonto, a winner of 2 of 6 starts, ended a four-race losing streak when she won the seven-furlong race on Dec. 11 at Launceston.

Magnaprime, a winner of 2 of 5 starts, won consecutive races against maidens at 5 3/4 lengths on a synthetic track on Sept. 11 and a minor handicap on turf at slightly more than six furlongs on Oct. 18. He has been second in his last two starts.

Both Azonto and Magnaprime are starting at a mile for the first time in the Tasmanian Guineas.

The distance may not be an issue for the gelding Don’t Give Up, who won a maiden race at a mile on the synthetic track at Launceston in his second career start on Dec. 4, but was seventh of 11, beaten 1 3/4 lengths, as the 2-1 favorite in a one-mile handicap at Hobart on Dec. 15.

Don’t Give Up tends to run near the front, but may not have the speed to keep pace with the quicker Magnaprime. Still, Don’t Give Up could be a factor in the final sixteenth from a stalking position.

Hobart has an eight-race program beginning at 10:52 p.m. Eastern or 7:52 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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