Australia: Fanmalia finds softer spot in Tamworth handicap

In the last year, Fanmalia has had a disrupted campaign in Australia that consisted of a six-month layoff in the second half of 2021, a win in his comeback, and five losses this year.

A few of the recent losses have been close, giving Fanmalia a chance for a fifth career win in his 20th start in a one-mile handicap at Tamworth Racecourse on Friday.

Fanmalia, a 5-year-old gelding trained by Rodney Northam, is expected to be the second choice in a field of 11 in the third race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern, or 7:15 p.m. Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Fanmalia’s five-race campaign this year includes four races in January and February and a fifth-place finish in a field of 11 in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on May 22. Fanmalia closed from ninth to miss by slightly less than four lengths at Muswellbrook racing at a distance arguably shorter than his best trip. Race winner Ceasefire scored by two lengths as the 6-5 favorite.

Fanmalia’s four career wins include three races at a mile.

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At Tamworth, Fanmalia must beat Scorched Land, who was a good second in a one-mile handicap at Taree on June 10, closing from eighth of nine to miss by a half-length. The Taree race was a higher level of handicap runners than this race at Tamworth.

None of the 11 runners at Tamworth won their last starts. Scorched Land is the only horse in the field that was second in its last race.

Scorched Land has won 4 of 26 starts and is in the midst of a busy year. This race at Tamworth will be Scorched Land’s sixth start since mid-April. A 4-year-old gelding, Scorched Land is winless in 14 starts since April 2021.