Australia: Divine Vicky faces tougher foes in Monday handicap

The word was out before the 3-year-old filly Divine Vicky had a successful debut at Kembla Grange Racecourse in Australia on May 6.

Sent off favored, Divine Vicky was third early in a six-furlong maiden race and won by a head.

How that form translates against winners will be better known when Divine Vicky has her second start in a six-furlong handicap at Nowra Racecourse on Monday evening.

Divine Vicky starts from post 5 and will be ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, who was aboard for the maiden-race win.

Trained by Matthew Smith, Divine Vicky is by far the most lightly raced runner in a field of 12. She was the 9-5 favorite in early betting on Sunday, behind Golden Gate at 5-2. Septime was rated as a leading contender before he was withdrawn early Sunday.

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

Golden Gate is one of several closers in the field. A winner of 2 of 6 starts, Golden Gate won the minor Jardel Cup at six furlongs at Tamworth on April 21, but has finished fourth and fifth in his last two starts, losing by 3 1/2 lengths and slightly less than two lengths.

The absence of Septime improves the chances of Baranof, King Charles and Dream Game. They were all about 8-1 in early betting on Sunday.

Baranof, a winner of 2 of 23 starts, was ninth of 10 in a six-furlong handicap on soft turf at Gosford Racecourse on June 8 in his first start since January. Baranof is winless in 12 starts on soft turf, but has won twice on turf courses rated good. The course is expected to be good at Nowra.

Baranof won as recent as December in a seven-furlong handicap at Hawkesbury.

King Charles won his last start in a five-furlong handicap at Sapphire Coast on June 11, his third victory in 15 starts. Similar to Baranof, King Charles can be a factor from off the pace.

Nowra has a seven-race program beginning at 10:50 p.m. Eastern or 7:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.