Australia: Burdekin tries for first win of the year

Burdekin has tested the patience of bettors in Australia this year, finishing second or third in five of his six starts.

The 6-year-old gelding was second by a neck in February, and second by a head in his latest start at Ballina July 27.

Burdekin deserves another chance, and may record his first win since November in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Lismore Racecourse on Sunday evening.

Burdekin tends to run from off the pace, and has drawn the outside post in a field of 12 for his 21st start. He will be ridden for the fourth time this year by apprentice jockey Braith Nock, who was aboard for the narrow loss at Ballina.

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Trained by Brett Cavanough, Burdekin has won at six and 6 1/2 furlongs, leaving the distance at Lismore within the gelding’s range.

The same can be said of the 4-year-old filly Stoinka, who led a handicap at six furlongs at Lismore to the final 100 yards before losing by a little more than a length. Stoinka has won at 6 1/2 and 6 3/4 furlongs in her 18-race career. She figures to be part of the pace scenario in the big field at Lismore on Sunday evening.

Shaquila, winless in his last six starts, tends to run as a stalker, a style that led to a neck loss when second at 5 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook June 25. Shaquila was second by 2 1/2 lengths in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Grafton July 12, unable to keep up with pacesetter Maximum Vortex.

Maximum Vortex won for the third time in four starts that day, and returned to finish a good second by a little more than a length in a five-furlong handicap at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Thursday.

Lismore has a seven-race program beginning at 10:50 p.m. Eastern or 7:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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