Australia: Bean Rocking takes on winners in Armidale handicap

With race experience, Bean Rocking has developed a rollicking turn of foot that led to a win against maidens at 5 1/2 furlongs at Armidale Racecourse in Australia last month.

Bean Rocking’s closing style will be tested in his debut against winners in a five-furlong handicap for nonwinners of two at Armidale on Monday evening.

Trained by Stirling Osland, who is based at Armidale, Bean Rocking is part of a field of 12 and will break from post 6 under jockey Brooke Stower, who has been aboard for the 4-year-old gelding’s last three starts.

Bean Rocking was third and second in maiden races with Stower aboard in February and mid-March, losing both races by less than a length.

For Monday evening’s race at Armidale, Bean Rocking was the 4-1 second choice in early betting on Sunday behind Scarzel at 9-5.

Bean Rocking is one of two last-race winners in the field, along with the Osland-trained Tupelov, who won a maiden race at 4 3/4 furlongs at Moree on March 23 in her fourth start. She closed from fifth of 10 to win by 1 1/2 lengths. She is a 10-1 chance to win her debut against winners on Monday evening.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Scarzel will be a target for Bean Rocking and the other closers. Scarzel tends to run near the front, but is not always reliable to maintain the advantage.

Scarzel beat maidens in his eighth start last June, but has lost his last six races. He has finished second in his last two starts, including a nose loss in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Mudgee Racecourse on April 2.

Scarzel should be in early pursuit of the outsiders He’s Spoken and Adviser, who have shown speed at times but faded.

Armidale has a seven-race program beginning at 11:25 p.m. Eastern, or 8:25 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.