Australia: Cuban State may settle off pace in speed-laden handicap at Morphettville

The lightly raced Australian gelding Cuban State is rounding into form at an ideal time in advance of a lucrative handicap at a mile at Morphettville Racecourse near Adelaide on Friday.

Cuban State won his debut last February and was third and seventh in two additional starts over the next 45 days. After a layoff of more than seven months, Cuban State finished fourth in a seven-furlong handicap at Morphettville on Nov. 13, but rebounded to win a seven-furlong handicap at Balaklava Racecourse on Dec. 8.

With little delay, Cuban State will race again on Friday and could be in an advantageous position in a large field.

The handicap is loaded with horses who have shown speed, which could provide jockey Jason Holder with an ideal position off the pace on Cuban State. A 4-year-old gelding, Cuban State is trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy who also start the promising 4-year-old filly Spectacle.

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In May, Spectacle was optimistically started in the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Morphettville Racecourse near Adelaide. She was 200-1 and beat two rivals in a 16-horse field. She has not raced in a group stakes since.

A winner of two of her last four starts, Spectacle won a seven-furlong handicap at Balaklava Racecourse on Nov. 24. She led throughout and won by 1 1/4 lengths. Spectacle has won 2 of 10 starts in her career, with both of the victories from the front.

The upcoming race at Morphettville will have a maximum field of 16. Spectacle could face an early challenge from Saccharo, who will have a rapid turnaround from a third in a one-mile handicap at Morphettville last Saturday, and Heir of Tavistock, who was second in a seven-furlong handicap at Morphettville on Dec. 4.

Zoulah, a winner at Morphettville in a one-mile handicap on Dec. 4, can race near the front, but has been effective as a stalker. Zoulah and Cuban State were co-favorites at 7-1 on Wednesday, an indication of the open nature of the race.

The eight-race Morphettville program is a late night or early morning card, by American time zone standards. First post time is 11:55 p.m. Eastern or 8:55 p.m. Pacific on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.