Australia: Deep Dive can challenge Proper Rogue but must draw in from also-eligible list

A glance at late scratches for Sunday’s eighth race at Geelong Racecourse in Australia is vital in finalizing selections in the six-furlong handicap.

The race drew a field of 16, but will have a safety limit of 14 runners. Deep Dive, a winner of his last two starts, is stuck on the also-eligible list and would alter the betting significantly if he can draw into the field.

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Deep Dive, a 4-year-old Southern Hemisphere gelding, is trained by the father and son team of Anthony and Sam Freedman and has won 3 of 7 starts. Sam Freedman officially joined the stable as a co-trainer on Aug. 1, having worked in the recent past for trainer Roger Varian in England.

Deep Dive won a handicap at about 5 1/2 furlongs at Geelong on July 31 and a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Morphettville on Aug. 15. Deep Dive also won a maiden race at Geelong in January in his only other start at the track, which is located southwest of Melbourne.

If Deep Dive does not start, Proper Rogue figures to be a strong favorite.

A winner of 3 of 8 starts, Proper Rogue won a six-furlong handicap at Sandown Racecourse on Aug. 19 to end a three-race losing streak. Proper Rogue won a maiden race at five furlongs at Geelong in his only appearance at the course last January.

The 9-year-old Reine Happy will have his 59th start at Geelong on Sunday and has been in outstanding form in recent months. Reine Happy has been in the top three in his last seven starts, including consecutive wins in handicaps at 6 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo on July 3 and Geelong on July 31. He tends to run near the front and will have a key role in Sunday’s race in that regard.

The nine-race program begins at 10:55 p.m. Eastern, or 7:55 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.