Australia: Bulsara faces familiar rivals in Ipswich handicap

Bulsara will have a familiar cast of rivals when the Australian-bred 2-year-old makes his second start in less than two weeks in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Ipswich Racecourse near Brisbane, Australia on Monday.

On April 20, Bulsara won for the first time in his second career start in a six-furlong handicap at Ipswich as a 13-1 outsider, closing from fifth in a field of eight to win by a neck. Bulsara beat Uncommon Valour and Sailor’s Secret, who were second and third and are part of Monday’s race at Ipswich.

Trained by Chris Waller, Bulsara, a colt by the I Am Invincible stallion Brazen Beau, was sixth of seven in his debut in a six-furlong handicap at Doomben Racecourse on April 4 in his first start.

Bulsara, Uncommon Valour, and Sailor’s Secret are part of a field of 10 at Ipswich in the third race on a seven-race program that begins at 10:42 p.m. Eastern, or 7:42 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Bulsara will be ridden by Larry Cassidy, who was aboard for the win April 20. Cassidy, who won with 7 of 50 mounts from March 26 through Saturday, frequently rides the Waller-trained runners at Brisbane-area tracks. The nationally prominent Waller leads Australian trainers in wins, starts, and earnings during the current season, which began Aug. 1.

Uncommon Valour and Sailor’s Secret won maiden races prior to finishing behind Bulsara on April 20. Uncommon Valour closed from the back of the field on April 20, while Sailor’s Secret set the pace. Sailor’s Secret is expected to have that role in this race, having won a maiden race from the front at 5 1/2 furlongs at Ipswich on April 6.

The Ipswich race will be the first start against winners for the fillies Better Strings and Huri Black who won maiden races in their last starts at seven furlongs – Better Strings in her second start at Sunshine Coast on April 10 and Huri Black at 50-1 at Gold Coast on April 23.