Australia: Binkou returns to site of lone victory in Sunday handicap

The Australian gelding Binkou returns to the venue of his lone career win when he starts in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs on the infield Beaumont course at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday evening.

Binkou won his second start in a maiden race at 6 3/4 furlongs on the Beaumont course on Oct. 24 and was later third in two six-furlong handicaps at Port Macquarie Racecourse on Jan. 6 and Jan. 20.

In the maiden race, and the two recent losses, Binkou closed from off the pace to finish well. He was beaten slightly less than three-quarters of a length on Jan. 6 and by a length on Jan. 20, closing from 10th in a field of 14 in the latter race.

Trained by Robert Agnew at Port Macquarie, Binkou is part of a field of eight in the second race on a seven-race program that begins at 9:50 p.m. Eastern, or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Binkou starts from post 6 and will be ridden for the first time by Ashley Morgan.

Aaron Bullock rode Binkou to his two recent losses, but has the mount on another contender in Snizzi. This will be the first start of 2023 for Snizzi, who has not started since a win in a maiden race at a mile at Scone Racecourse on Sept. 6 in his third start. Snizzi was third and second in his first two races in July and August.

Mystic Isle, the winner of a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Taree Racecourse in her second start on Jan. 27, is likely to set the pace, and may be capable of stealing the race. Mystic Isle led throughout the win at Taree.

One of two fillies in this field, Mystic Isle drew the inside post, which is likely to force jockey Mitchell Bell to use the filly’s speed to secure an early position.

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