Australia: Distance of Gilgandra Cup suits Shamusu Sho

Shamusu Sho had the best span of his career from late March to late June, winning 3 of 5 starts in Australia. He has yet to recapture that form in recent races, but there are signs of improvement.

After a five-month break, Shamusu Sho has finished fourth and third in two sprint starts in handicaps in the last six weeks.

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

Sunday, Shamusu Sho starts in the Gilgandra Cup at tiny Gilgandra Racecourse in the New South Wales countryside. The one-mile distance of the track’s signature race should be an ideal fit for Shamusu Sho, a 5-year-old New Zealand-bred.

Shamusu Sho, who will carry 121 pounds, will be one of the favorites, along with Oakfield Captain and Universal Thief. Shamusu Sho is trained by Cody Morgan, who had won with 11 of 50 starters from Sept. 12 through Friday.

Shamusu Sho was third as the 2-1 favorite in a seven-furlong handicap at Moree Racecourse on Dec. 19, closing from seventh to finish five lengths behind Annie’s Street, who returned to finish seventh in the Inverell Cup at Inverell Racecourse on Friday.

Oakfield Captain is the 130-pound highweight in the Gilgandra Cup, largely on the basis of his form in the second half of 2019 and last June when he won the Wingham Cup at a mile at Taree Racecourse. Oakfield Captain is winless in his last six starts, racing against slightly tougher fields.

Universal Thief was fifth in the Ted Ryder Cup at a mile at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on Christmas Eve as a 50-1 outsider. A 7-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Universal Thief is winless in three starts since winning a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Dubbo Racecourse in October.

Universal Thief, who has a friendly weight assignment of 121 pounds, tends to run from off the pace.

Gilgandra has a nine-race program beginning at 8:45 p.m., Eastern, or 5:45 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering and viewing is available through DRFBets.com.