Australia: Far Too Easy going for third straight win with bigger targets on horizon

Far Too Easy, the 3-year-old Australian gelding, cost about $33,000 as a yearling. According to published reports in recent days, co-owner and trainer David McColm has turned down recent offers of more than $700,000.

McColm, a former jockey, wants to keep Far Too Easy, who starts in Saturday’s $143,480 Gold Edition Plate for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane. More lucrative races are under consideration if Far Too Easy runs as expected.

As of Wednesday, Far Too Easy was the 2-1 favorite in a field of 10. Far Too Easy has won 4 of 5 starts, including his last two races. On Dec. 4 at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Far Too Easy closed from sixth in a field of nine to win the six-furlong Rupert Plate by 1 1/2 lengths as the 4-5 favorite.

The Gold Edition Plate will be Far Too Easy’s richest race, one with a solid lineup.

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The filly Rhapsody Rose won the Mode Stakes at six furlongs for fillies on the same program at Doomben, and is part of the Gold Edition Plate field. Rhapsody Rose, a winner of 4 of 11 starts, is quick enough to set the pace and could prove tough to catch.

Me Me Lagarde, a winner of 2 of 3 starts, and Jackson On Time, third in the Rupert Plate, can play a factor from off the pace. Jackson On Time is winless in two starts. The Rupert Plate was his first start since January.

Eagle Farm has a nine-race program, beginning at 9:48 p.m. Eastern or 6:48 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Saturday’s Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in Perth is the most prestigious race of the weekend in Australia. Regal Power, the winner of the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Ascot on Dec. 4 will be heavily favored in the $179,350 Heemst, which is run at 1 5/16 miles and drew a field of seven.

A 6-year-old gelding, Regal Power won the 2019 Van Heemst, but did not start in the race in 2020.