Australia: Declares War on upswing for Albury Gold Cup

The rapidly improving gelding Declares War faces several rivals with recent losses in group-level stakes in Friday’s $155,100 Albury Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Albury Racecourse in Australia.

Declares War was an intriguing 9-1 in future-book betting on Wednesday, with Entente and Mahamedeis at 3-1, and Silver Sovereign at 6-1.

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Declares War, trained by Matt Cumani, has won 7 of 23 starts, including his last three races. The winning streak includes the listed Birthday Stakes at about 1 14 miles at Morphettville Racecourse on Feb. 4, and the Wangaratta Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Wangaratta Racecourse on Feb. 27.

Declares War is quick enough to lead, but often races as a stalker. An Australian-bred 5-year-old, Declares War will be ridden by Patrick Maloney, who was aboard for the recent win at Wangaratta.

Entente, trained by the powerful team of Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, was last of nine in the Group 3 Geelong Cup at Geelong Racecourse in October prior to a brief layoff. Entente was fourth in the Canberra Cup at Canberra Racecourse in his second start of 2021 on March 8, losing by 1 3/4 lengths as the 2-1 favorite.

Entente is capable of setting the pace.

Mahamedeis was sixth in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at a mile at Flemington Racecourse on March 6, his fifth consecutive loss since a win in a handicap at about 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley last August. Mahamedeis is a threat from off the pace in a full field of 16.

Albury has an eight-race program, beginning at 10:15 p.m., Eastern, or 7:15 p.m., Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The leading race in Australia on Friday is the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at six furlongs at Moonee Valley. In a strong field of 14, the 4-year-old filly Libertini will have her first start since a third-place finish in the Group 1 VRC Classic at six furlongs in November. Libertini, trained by James Cummings, won the Group 2 Premiere Stakes at six furlongs at Royal Randwick in October.

Other notable starters in the $387,750 Reid are September Run, winless in two Group 1 races since a victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at six furlongs at Flemington on Oct. 31, and Portland Sky, who finished in a dead heat for first in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at 5 1/2 furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on Feb. 20.