Australia: Deep Shimmer looks to rebound in Monday handicap

The 4-year-old filly Deep Shimmer had a bad day at Goulburn Racecourse in Australia last month. As the 2-1 favorite in a five-furlong handicap, Deep Shimmer never traveled well, jockey Alysha Collett later told stewards.

Deep Shimmer finished last of nine.

A month later, Deep Shimmer returns to Goulburn for the same kind of race, a low-level five-furlong handicap on Monday evening. Since the loss at Goulburn on Sept. 8, Deep Shimmer has finished first of seven in a schooling race from the gate at 4 1/2 furlongs at Canberra on Sept. 23.

Deep Shimmer’s career record of two wins in six starts, and the recent success in a schooling race, may give backers some confidence in the filly for her return to action in a wide-open field of nine.

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Collett has been replaced by Nick Heywood, who has the mount for the first time.

Masters, Mittata, Ultra White and Woodzy are other well-regarded contenders.

Deep Shimmer, trained by Scott Collings, is well suited to the short distance, having won a maiden race at five furlongs at Canberra in April, and a first-level handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs at Goulburn in August. In both wins, Deep Shimmer raced near the front.

Masters, the lukewarm 7-2 favorite in early betting on Sunday, has had a busy campaign in recent months. After winning a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Forbes on Aug. 6 in his seventh career start, Masters has finished 10th, second twice and fourth in four starts.

Masters has set the pace at times, but is also effective as a stalker.

Woodzy was second ahead of Masters in a five-furlong handicap at Goulburn on Sept. 22, closing from fourth to lose by a neck to Air Play, who is an outsider in the Monday evening race at Goulburn.

The Sept. 22 race was Woodzy’s best start on turf. He won a maiden race at about 6 1/2 furlongs on a synthetic track at Canberra on Sept. 1. This is Woodzy’s fourth race since Sept. 1.

Air Play will be a longshot despite his recent win. He was 25-1 on Sept. 22, racing near the front throughout in his seventh start. A repeat of that would produce another surprise.

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

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