Australia: Chairman's Choice in good spot to snap losing streak
Chairman’s Choice has amassed a seven-race losing streak since September in advance of a start in a handicap at about six furlongs at Albury Racecourse in Australia on Monday.
At first glance, the losing streak is discouraging, but a closer glance at the circumstances allows for a measure of forgiveness.
Chairman’s Choice was beaten a nose in two six-furlong handicaps in March, and raced against tougher competition at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne in February than what he will face at Albury.
:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing
Trained by Andrew Dale, Chairman’s Choice has won 5 of 48 starts, with victories at distances ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. These days, the 6-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding seems best suited to six furlongs, judging from the March races.
At Albury, Chairman’s Choice is part of a field of 12 in the fourth race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:30 p.m. Eastern or 7:30 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
In his last two starts, Chairman’s Choice was ridden by apprentice jockey Hannah Edgley, who has the mount at Albury. Edgley won with 9 of 50 mounts from April 21 through Saturday, when she rode a winner in a six-furlong handicap at tiny Warracknabeal Racecourse.
The booking of Edgley reduces Chairman’s Choice’s weight assignment to 132 pounds. Topweight Oakfield Navajo will carry 138.8 pounds in his first start of 2022.
Oakfield Navajo is rated an outsider. Last November, he won two consecutive sprint handicaps, but was not as sharp in December, finishing eighth and 11th in sprint handicaps against higher classes of runners.
Chairman’s Choice drew post 7, which should accommodate his tracking style.
My Girona, who tends to run close to the front, drew the rail and has a good chance to beat winners for the first time. A 3-year-old filly, My Girona won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on April 10 in her seventh start and was fifth by three lengths in a handicap as the 4-1 favorite at 6 1/2 furlongs at Wagga Wagga on April 24.