Australia: Bega Cup draws a familiar cast

There is a familiarity to the field for Sunday’s Bega Cup at Sapphire Coast Racecourse in Australia.

The first four finishers of the Moruya Cup at Moruya Racecourse on Jan. 14, as well as the runners who were seventh and 12th, have drawn into the field of 16 for the Bega Cup. Roseirro, who was fifth at Moruya, is on the also-eligible list for Sunday’s race.

The results of the Moruya Cup have significantly influenced betting for the Bega Cup. Peyton Place and Gunga Din, first and third at Moruya, were the leading choices at 5-1 and 6-1 in early betting Friday. The relatively high odds reflect the open nature of the Bega Cup, an intriguing betting race.

Peyton Place led throughout the Moruya Cup, winning by 1 3/4 lengths over East Indiaman, who is rated as a longer chance in the Bega Cup. Peyton Place is winless in three starts at a mile and has not won beyond 7 1/4 furlongs, leaving questions about whether he can be effective Sunday.

Gunga Din won a seven-furlong handicap at Canberra Racecourse on Dec. 29, closing from ninth in a field of 10 in the final quarter-mile. His race was not as convincing in the Moruya Cup, missing by 2 1/2 lengths to Peyton Place. Gunga Din has won 3 of 7 starts at a mile in his career.

The presence of the 6-year-old mare Lets Rebelle in the Bega Cup field could pose a problem for Peyton Place, offering a threat to his position near the front.

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Royal Thunder, who was 7-1 on Friday, has raced near the front, but does not seem reliant on setting the pace. Royal Thunder has won his last two starts – a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Canberra on Dec. 13 and the Cowra Cup at Cowra Racecourse at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 17.

Aside from Royal Thunder, the Bega Cup conditions should fit Upper House, who won a handicap at a mile at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on Dec. 24 and was third in the Cowra Cup, beaten nearly 1 1/4 lengths.

The Sapphire Coast program is available for wagering through DRFBets.com. First post time is 9:05 p.m. Eastern, or 6:05 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday.