Australia: Defeat in good spot to end losing streak in Dubbo Racecourse handicap

Defeat may be well positioned to end an 11-race losing streak when he starts in a seven-furlong handicap at Dubbo Racecourse in Australia on Thursday.

A winner of 5 of 37 starts, Defeat was a well-beaten fourth against a solid field in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Sept. 22. The key for Defeat on Thursday is to stay near the front in a field of eight.

The race lacks a confirmed front-runner, although Pee Dee and Supreme Attraction have set the pace at times.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Pee Dee led throughout a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Scone Racecourse on Aug. 23 for his fourth win in 22 starts. It was his first race since April. Pee Dee faced tougher runners without success earlier this year than what he will face at Dubbo.

Supreme Attraction ended a six-race losing streak with a win by three-quarters of a length in a five-furlong handicap for amateur riders at Bouderie Racecourse on Sept. 10.

All Words is well suited to the distance, having won a one-mile handicap in his lone start at Dubbo in April. The win was the second of a three-race winning streak in April. All Words has been fourth in his last two starts, one in late August and one just last Friday. The 5-year-old gelding has won 4 of 17 starts.

The 8-year-old gelding The Sledgehammer has not raced since finishing last of 14 in the Dubbo Cup at a mile in September 2020. The loss ended a four-race winning streak.

The Sledgehammer finished seventh of eight in a schooling race from the gate, or barrier trial, at a half-mile at Gilgandra Racecourse in August in preparation for his comeback.

Dubbo has a nine-race program that begins at 10:45 p.m. Eastern or 7:45 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.