Australia: Distance suits Play My Song in handicap at Muswellbrook
The 3-year-old filly Play My Song has had eight starts and has found her niche in five-furlong races.
Both of Play My Song’s wins have been at the abbreviated distance, making her presence all the more appealing in a five-furlong handicap at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Monday.
Play My Song won a five-furlong handicap at Muswellbrook in July and was rested for three months. In three starts in November, Play My Song finished 12th in a five-furlong handicap and was second and fourth in six-furlong races prior to winning a five-furlong handicap at Tuncurry on Dec. 13.
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Trained by Justin Bowen, Play My Song is quick enough to lead, but also effective from a tracking position. On Monday, Play My Song will break from the rail in a field of 10 and will be ridden by Mikayla Weir, who has been aboard for both of the filly’s wins.
Play My Song may need to be close to the front to avoid traffic and to gain first run on the well-regarded contender Unwritten, a winner of 2 of 14 starts. Unwritten won at five furlongs in a handicap at Nowra Racecourse on Dec. 4, closing from last in a field of five to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.
At Muswellbrook, Unwritten will carry joint top weight 132 pounds, with Play My Song at 123.
I’m Not Slew will also carry 132 pounds. A two-time winner, I’m Not Slew was 13th of 16 in a five-furlong handicap at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Dec. 10. He never posed a threat from the back of the field in his first start since June.
The field at Muswellbrook appears to be weaker than I’m Not Slew faced last out. He’ll try to end a four-race losing streak, since a win in a five-furlong handicap at Wyong Racecourse in November 2021.
Muswellbrook has a seven-race program, beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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