Australia: Favored Ligulate will be running late in handicap at Tamworth

In March and April, Ligulate won two six-figure races at Tamworth Racecourse in Australia before and after an eighth-place finish in a much tougher race at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.

Ligulate ended that portion of the year with a nose win in the Tamworth Cup in April, his final start before being rested through the Australian winter. Monday, Ligulate will be favored in his first start of a spring campaign in a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth that drew a field of 12.

Befitting his recent success, Ligulate will carry top weight of 133 pounds. Apprentice jockey Dylan Gibbons has the mount, which has significantly reduced the weight assignment from the original figure of 140 pounds.

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A 5-year-old gelding, Ligulate is trained by Cody Morgan, who is based at Tamworth. Ligulate breaks from post 7, which should suit his closing style. Monday’s race will be Ligulate’s first start at six furlongs since a third-place finish at the distance at Tamworth in January when closed from last of 13 to lose by about a neck.

Ligulate must catch Dubai Tycoon, the winner of a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth on Aug. 31. Dubai Tycoon, who will carry 124.5 pounds, has won 2 of 4 starts at six furlongs in his 17-race career. He is a five-time winner.

Desert Marshall, seventh behind Dubai Tycoon on Aug. 31, may set the pace along with Cosmic Reign, who drew the rail. Cosmic Reign is winless in two starts since a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook in July.

Desert Marshall has lost his last nine starts since a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth in January, the race in which Ligulate was third.

The handicap is the last of seven races on a Tamworth program that begins at 11:45 p.m. Eastern, or 8:45 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Tamworth Racecourse is located north of Sydney in the Australian countryside.