Australia: Chop the Ice hits the road hoping to extend win streak

The Australian gelding Chop the Ice will have his first road trip when he starts in a sprint handicap at Moruya Racecourse on Thursday evening.

A winner of 2 of 6 starts, Chop the Ice has raced only at Canberra Racecourse where he is part of trainer Gratz Vella’s stable. At Moruya, approximately 100 miles from Canberra on the southeast coast, Chop the Ice will start for the first time at 7 1/4 furlongs with a chance to extend his winning streak to three races.

Chop the Ice won a maiden race at five furlongs on the synthetic track at Canberra on Aug. 18 in his first start since a ninth-place finish in a field of 11 at 150-1 in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes on turf for 2-year-old Southern Hemisphere runners at Canberra in March.

Chop the Ice followed the maiden race win with a victory in a six-furlong handicap on turf at Canberra on Sept. 15, leading throughout. Chop the Ice closed from third to beat maidens.

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A patient trip at Moruya could be a benefit in a race that should have a strong pace.

Vella-trained runners often race at Moruya. Since mid-July, Vella has won three races from six runners at the coastal track.

At Moruya, Chop the Ice is part of a field of nine 3- and 4-year-olds. Chop the Ice was the 4-1 third choice in early betting on Wednesday behind Zarni (2-1) and Rouge Lune (5-2).

Zarni, a winner of 2 of 9 starts, is winless in three starts since a victory in a seven-furlong handicap at Kembla Grange in July. A 4-year-old filly, Zarni has since finished second or third in three starts, often racing on or near the lead.

Rouge Lune, a winner of 2 of 8 starts, is at home at Moruya where he is trained by Natalie Jarvis. Rouge Lune has won both of his starts at Moruya, the most recent of which was a six-furlong handicap in June.

Rouge Lune was beaten a head in his last start, a handicap at about six furlongs at Gundagai Racecourse on Sept. 10 in which he raced near the front throughout.

Moruya has an eight-race program beginning at 11:14 p.m. Eastern or 8:14 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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