Australia: Dream Song's closing pattern could pay off at Scone

Dream Song has been second and third in her last two starts in Australia by a combined 1 3/4 lengths, closing well in the final furlong of sprint handicaps.

A 4-year-old Australian-bred mare, Dream Song has had three stars this year, and has developed a consistent pattern as a closer. The style could lead to a second win in her sixth career start in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Scone Racecourse on Tuesday.

The handicap is expected to have a full field of 14. With runners such as The Snooperstar and Supreme Streak capable of setting the pace Dream Song could be well placed for a late run.

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Trained by Kris Lees, Dream Song will carry 121 pounds, less than topweight The Snooperstar at 127.8 pounds. Lees was the leading trainer in the state of New South Wales for the season that ended Friday. The new season began Saturday.

Dream Song was third behind Scorched Land in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Taree Racecourse on July 17 and faces that rival again at Scone. They are expected to lead the betting.

Scorched Land and Brash Sammy, another contender, are early season Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds facing older horses. Scorched Land won two races against older horses as a late-season 2-year-old in June at Tamworth and at Taree.

Brash Sammy was fourth as the 2-1 favorite in a five-furlong handicap at Canberra on July 24 in his first start since January and first start since being gelded. Sam Clipperton was aboard for the Canberra race and has the mount Tuesday. Brash Sammy will carry 124.5 pounds. He is another threat from off the pace.

The Snooperstar, a 4-year-old gelding, has won 2 of 13 starts. He led throughout a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at 9-2 at Scone on July 10, but was last of 14 against a much tougher field in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at 13-1 at Royal Randwick Racecourse on July 25.

First post time at Scone is 11:10 p.m. Eastern, or 8:10 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.