Australia: Distance suits Lunatic Fringe in Horsham Cup

It would make perfect sense to back the mare Lunatic Fringe in the Horsham Cup at 1 5/16 miles at Horsham Racecourse in Australia on Saturday evening across American time zones.

The 6-year-old Lunatic Fringe has won 5 of 19 starts and is well-suited to this longer distance.

Trained by Tom Dabernig, Lunatic Fringe won a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Swan Hill Racecourse on June 12 and did not race again until she finished second in the Murtoa Cup at about 1 1/4 miles at Murtoa Racecourse on Oct. 1.

Lunatic Fringe was second early and was beaten a head as the 3-4 favorite at Murtoa.

In the Horsham Cup, Lunatic Fringe’s competition will not be better known until closer to race time. Fengarada and Lunatic Fringe were 3-1 in early betting as of Friday, but Fengarada would be making a rapid turnaround after winning the Moe Cup at Moe Racecourse on Thursday evening.

The Horsham Cup drew a field of 14, but will have only 12 starters. Fengarada has excellent credentials, considering his 2022 campaign.

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Fengarada won three consecutive starts at 1 1/8 and 1 5/16 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne from mid-July to late August, but was eighth of 12 in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Caulfield Racecourse on Sept. 17 against tougher company than his previous starts.

In the Moe Cup, Fengarada won by 1 1/4 lengths against five rivals in a race at about 1 1/4 miles. Rapid turnarounds are not uncommon in Australia, leaving the possibility that Fengarada could run at Horsham.

The Horsham Cup distance is a test for Sign of Ussuri, who won the Coleraine Cup at 1 1/8 miles in his debut at that distance Sept. 23. The win ended an eight-race losing streak since the Gawler Cup at 7 1/2 furlongs at Gawler Racecourse last October.

Horsham is a countryside venue in the state of Victoria. None of the entrants in the Horsham Cup have raced at the track.

Horsham 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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