Australia: Distance a plus for Star Impact in Wyong handicap

The veteran Australian filly Star Impact will have her third race following a three-month layoff in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse on Wednesday evening. It is a distance that should be in the 4-year-old’s favor.

Star Impact has won 3 of 17 starts, with two of the wins at seven furlongs.

Star Impact finished 11th of 12, beaten 7 1/4 lengths, in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Wyong on May 11 in her first start since February, but was a brighter second in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Newcastle on May 20.

In the latter race, Star Impact closed from fifth to lose by slightly more than two lengths. She is winless in three starts since a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle in January.

Trained by Mark Minervini, Star Impact is part of a field of nine in the fifth of eight races at Wyong on Wednesday evening. Post time for the first race is 10:10 p.m. Eastern, or 7:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Star Impact, who runs from off the pace, will be ridden by Aaron Bullock, who was aboard for the May 20 race at Newcastle.

It was unclear Tuesday how much pace Star Impact will have to follow. Leandra, who also was entered in a race on Tuesday, is entered in the Wyong race on Wednesday evening. She tends to run near the front.

Starstruck Barbie, who will be a longshot, is another candidate to set the pace.

The lightly-raced filly Golden Gate is likely to be favored. A winner of 2 of 5 starts, Golden Gate won the minor Jardel Cup at six furlongs at Tamworth on April 21, but was fourth of seven in the same race as Star Impact at Newcastle on May 20 without posing a threat.

A repeat of the Tamworth win puts Golden Gate in contention.