Australia: Distance of handicap at Kembla Grange should suit Roccaforte

A return to racing at 1 1/4 miles may help Roccaforte end a four-race losing streak in a handicap at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Tuesday.

A winner of 2 of 16 starts, Roccaforte won his only appearance at 1 1/4 miles, which came in a handicap at Wyong Racecourse last July. Trained by Richard Litt, Roccaforte has since finished sixth, fourth and second twice in handicaps at distances ranging from seven furlongs to 1 3/16 miles.

Roccaforte was a second by a head as the 2-1 favorite in a handicap at about 1 1/8 miles at Newcastle Racecourse on March 30 in his most recent start.

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Alysha Collett has ridden Roccaforte in his last two starts and has the mount at Kembla Grange.

Loose Love, a 4-year-old gelding who has won 3 of 24 starts, may be a threat from near the front in his first start at 1 1/4 miles. Loose Love won a handicap at a mile at Orange Racecourse on April 14 by leading throughout. The win ended an eight-race losing streak, which began last April.

Roccaforte and Loose Love are part of a field of nine in the third race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:50 p.m. Eastern or 7:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The distance should fit Funambulist, who won a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles last May and a handicap at 1 5/8 miles last June. Funambulist was eighth of 15, beaten 6 1/4 lengths, in the Stayers Cup at 1 5/8 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in June last year, his final start of 2022.

In his lone start this year, Funambulist was eighth of 15 in a one-mile handicap at Newcastle on April 8. He closed from last to miss by 3 2/3 lengths.

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