Australia: Cross Talk goes a little longer in Rowley Mile

The New Zealand-bred gelding Cross Talk has never raced at a mile, but his record at slightly shorter distances at Australian tracks in the last 10 months makes it easy to see why he will be a heavy favorite in the $129,700 Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury Racecourse across American time zones on Wednesday evening.

Trained by the powerful stable of Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, Cross Talk has won 5 of 7 starts since his career began in New Zealand in May 2021. After winning his debut, Cross Talk was moved to Australia where he won 4 of 6 starts, including the Winter Challenge Stakes at 7 3/4 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on July 30.

A winner of 3 of 4 starts this year, Cross Talk has set the pace and won from a tracking position, which makes him an even greater danger in the Rowley Mile against 10 rivals.

Cross Talk, who starts from post 9, will be ridden by Tim Clark, who has been aboard the gelding for two wins this year. Clark was aboard Cross Talk when he won near the front and from slightly off the pace.

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Trainer Chris Waller has won the Rowley Mile a record four times since the race was introduced in 2010 and has two excellent chances with Oscar Zulu and Skyman.

Skyman, a winner of 6 of 29 starts, is returning from a brief layoff following a win in the minor McKell Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Rosehill Gardens on June 22. A 6-year-old gelding, Skyman raced in England in 2018 and 2019 before being sent to Australia in early 2020.

Skyman has won five times in Australia. The McKell Cup was his first stakes win.

Oscar Zulu, a winner of 6 of 25 starts, is winless in nine starts this year, but was fourth in the Winter Challenge and third in a lucrative seven-furlong handicap at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday. He can be a factor from off the pace.

Hawkesbury has an eight-race program beginning at 10:40 p.m. Eastern, or 7:40 p.m., Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.