Australia: Eight Diamonds drops from a Group 1 into a handicap at Canterbury
Eight Diamonds was rested after she finished 14th of 16 as a longshot in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at seven furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in February.
It was an ambitious race for a 3-year-old filly with only a maiden race win to her credit in four previous starts.
Wednesday, Eight Diamonds starts in a more realistic race, a six-furlong handicap against males at Canterbury Park in Sydney.
Eight Diamonds, trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, will be favored in a field of 10 despite a tough draw on the rail. Tommy Berry has the mount. Berry rode Eight Diamonds to a win in a maiden race at 6 1/4 furlongs at Canterbury in January.
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Eight Diamonds typically races as a closer, which places less emphasis on her inside post, particularly if Assault’n’Bathory takes his customary position near the front. A 7-year-old gelding, Assault’n’Bathory is winless in his last seven starts, leaving questions whether he can sustain an early advantage.
The four-time winner Miss Fox is well drawn in post 4 for her stalking style. A 4-year-old filly, Miss Fox has started 10 times. This is her third start after a layoff of five months. On June 9, Miss Fox closed from last in a field of six to finish second by about two lengths in a handicap for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs at Canterbury Park. Race winner Irish Angel returned to finish second against a tougher field in a handicap at Rosehill Gardens on June 19.
El Buena, a 3-year-old gelding, has a similar style as Miss Fox and rates as a contender against Eight Diamonds. El Buena won his only previous start at Canterbury by a nose in a six-furlong handicap on April 7, his first start in four months. This race at Canterbury will be El Buena’s first start in two months.
Canterbury Park has a six-race program that begins at 11:20 p.m., Eastern, or 8:20 p.m., Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.