Australia: Blue Sky Moon comes into sprint second off layoff

Blue Sky Moon has won twice in Australia this year following layoffs, in April after a break of more than three months, and on Nov. 16 after a gap of nearly seven months.

On Sunday evening at Ballina Racecourse, Blue Sky Moon will have his 38th start in a five-furlong handicap. Blue Sky Moon will attempt to do something he has done only once in five attempts in his career – win his second start after a rest, or, “second-up” in Australian racing jargon.

Blue Sky Moon closed from third of seven to win his latest start in a five-furlong handicap at Grafton. A 7-year-old gelding, Blue Sky Moon won a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Armidale in April.

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

At Ballina, Blue Sky Moon is part of a field of 11 in the first race on a seven-race program that begins at 10:05 p.m. Eastern or 7:05 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Trained by Ridge Wilson, Blue Sky Moon is part of a competitive field that includes the 3-year-old filly Scud, and the 5-year-old gelding Peregrination.

Scud beat maidens in a five-furlong handicap at Taree on Oct. 29 in her sixth start. She followed with a fourth in a five-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Grafton Racecourse on Nov. 16 when she closed from seventh in a field of eight to lost by 1 3/4 lengths. Scud is quick enough to lead.

Peregrination is harder to endorse. He has won 2 of 37 career starts, and has been second in three of his last five starts. Peregrination is winless in 34 starts since July 2021.

Judging from his recent form, Peregrination may be more likely to hit the board than win from an inside post in a big field.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.