Australia: Celestial Fury will appreciate cutback in distance

A handicap at 1 5/8 miles at Gosford Racecourse in Australia on Jan. 25 was probably too far for Celestial Fury. The gelding faded from contention in the stretch to finish fifth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths.

A handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Gosford on Wednesday evening should be a better distance.

Trained by Nathan Doyle, Celestial Fury won a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Gosford on Dec. 22 for his second win in his 16th start. Celestial Fury set the pace and won by a neck. He was later second in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Wyong Racecourse on Jan. 7, closing from off the pace to lose by 1 1/4 lengths.

In Wednesday’s race at Gosford, Celestial Fury is part of a field of eight. He has attractive credentials along with the lightly raced Midori Burly and Dissenter.

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Gosford has an eight-race program beginning at 9:10 p.m. Eastern or 6:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

It is easy to envision a one-two finish for Celestial Fury and Midori Burly, although Midori Burly is untested at the distance of 1 5/16 miles. A winner of 2 of 5 starts in his career since mid-November, Midori Burly closed from seventh in a field of eight to win a one-mile handicap at Goulburn Racecourse on Jan. 23.

The race at Gosford will be the longest of Midori Burly’s career, and a jump in class level, but his closing style suggests the trip should be achievable.

Dissenter, a 6-year-old mare, won the handicap at Gosford on Jan. 25 in which Celestial Fury was fifth. For Dissenter, the 11-1 upset was her first win in 18 starts since July 2021. Dissenter set a slow pace on Jan. 25, but has been effective from off the pace in her 32-race career.

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