Australia: From the Bush faces 11 in Narromine Gold Cup

From the Bush may have a name reflective of the Australian countryside, but the gelding is doing just fine in high-profile races in recent starts.

From the Bush won a lucrative handicap at seven furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on July 10 and followed with a win in his first start at a mile in the Forbes Cup at Forbes Racecourse on Aug. 1.

On Sunday, From the Bush starts at a mile again in the Narromine Gold Cup at Narromine Racecourse. Trained by Gayna Williams, From the Bush will be ridden by Anthony Cavallo, who was aboard for the win at Forbes and is likely to have the 5-year-old prominent from the start.

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From the Bush, a winner of 5 of 11 starts, is part of a field of 12 in the Narromine Gold Cup and may go favored, although there will be support for Reward Seeker.

The Narromine Gold Cup is part of a nine-race program that begins at 9:55 p.m. Eastern, or 6:55 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Reward Seeker was fourth in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Narromine on July 19 in his first start since late March. A closer, Reward Seeker was second in the Forbes Cup, closing from 12th of 14 to finish three-quarters of a length behind From the Bush.

In the Forbes Cup, From the Bush carried 121 pounds compared to 134.4 for Reward Seeker. The spread is considerably less in the Narromine Gold Cup, with From the Bush carrying 134.4 pounds again, but From the Bush now carrying 127.8 pounds.

The mare Wild Rocket has raced against Reward Seeker in her last two starts with mixed results, and is a threat in this field. Wild Rocket beat Reward Seeker at Narromine on July 19, but was only seventh in the Forbes Cup, closing from ninth to finish 3 3/4 lengths behind From the Bush.

Wild Rocket has won twice at a mile in the past in five starts at the distance. Along with Reward Seeker, Wild Rocket will be a beneficiary if a quick pace develops.