Australia: Escaped, Front Money meet again at Warwick Farm

The Australian-bred 3-year-olds Escaped and Front Money finished first and second in a five-furlong handicap at Hawkesbury Racecourse on July 10, the first start following layoffs for both.

They seem to be on the same career plan. Wednesday, Escaped and Front Money meet again in a six-furlong handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse. This a new distance for both Escaped, a gelding who has won 2 of 4 starts, and Front Money, a filly who will have her fourth start on Wednesday.

Front Money was the 3-2 favorite at Hawkesbury and closed from third in a field of nine to finish a little more than a half-length behind Escaped, who set the pace. In Wednesday’s race, Escaped is expected to be in front again.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Escaped disputed the pace in his first victory, a five-furlong maiden race at Kembla Grange in July 2019.

Front Money, trained by the partnership of Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, won her debut in a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Newcastle in January and was second by a half-length in a five-furlong handicap at Gosford in February before she was given a brief rest.

Front Money has raced from a stalking position in her brief career, and could be well placed on Wednesday if Escaped is unable to sustain an early advantage over a longer distance.

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John Hawkes and his sons Michael and Wayne work as a team, which is not uncommon in Australian racing for more than one person to hold a trainer’s license. The Hawkeses have had a fairly productive July, with three wins from 18 runners through Saturday.

Weight could play a role in Wednesday’s handicap. Front Money will carry 121 pounds, compared to 129 for Escaped and 136.6 pounds for The Fire Trap, the topweight in a field of 12.

The Fire Trap has not raced since he won a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Ipswich Racecourse last October. A winner of 4 of 12 starts, The Fire Trap led throughout that day, a change from his previous style of racing from off the pace.

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