Australia: Duke of Neworleans expected to be favored in comeback run despite post

Duke of Neworleans, the promising Australian-bred gelding, returns from a layoff of nearly five months in a six-furlong handicap at Moe Racecourse, east of Melbourne, on Thursday with conditions seemingly in his favor.

Duke of Neworleans figures to be an odds-on favorite in a full field of 14, and has outstanding credentials, with a win in his debut and third- and second-place finishes by a combined length in two subsequent starts.

But the presence of Address Melbourne, a 4-year-old gelding who has won 2 of 9 starts, could spoil the comeback of Duke of Neworleans.

Address Melbourne is winless in four starts since a six-furlong handicap at Pakenham last October. Thursday’s race at Moe will be his third start following a sixth-month break. Address Melbourne finished fifth and seventh against tougher handicap competition in recent starts and should benefit from a slight class drop.

Trained by Bruce Anderson, Address Melbourne tends to race as a stalker.

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Duke of Neworleans is quick and will be fitted with blinkers for his comeback. Jockey Ben Melham takes the mount on a gelding who won his first start in a six-furlong maiden race at Geelong Racecourse last December.

Duke of Neworleans has been an odds-on favorite in all of his starts, a trend that will continue at Moe. Duke of Neworleans drew post 13, which is not ideal for a pacesetter. The only other confirmed front-runner in the field is the 7-year-old mare Knitting, who drew the rail. Knitting won a six-furlong handicap against a lesser field at Moe in April, and was second in a race at this course and distance on May 18.

Duke of Neworleans could easily dispute the pace while racing outside of that rival.

The closers Fuzz Buzz and Molly Golightly will draw some support.

Fuzz Buzz, a 4-year-old filly, has not raced since beating maidens in her third start in January. Molly Golightly, a winner of 2 of 8 starts, was a fast-closing third in a handicap at about six furlongs at Wangaratta on June 3, missing by about three-quarters of a length.

A nine-race program at Moe begins at 10:30 p.m., Eastern, or 7:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.