Australia: Fenech may find turf course just right in Tuesday handicap

Race conditions may favor Fenech in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse in Australia on Tuesday.

The turf course is expected to be heavy, which should suit the 5-year-old Fenech. A winner of 4 of 12 starts, Fenech is winless in five starts since a win in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Taree Racecourse on soft turf last June.

While the losing streak is starting to grow, Fenech has been competitive in recent starts on good turf, finishing second by a neck in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong on Jan. 18 and third by slightly more than 5 1/4 lengths at Newcastle on Jan. 29.

Fenech is trained by Kim Waugh and will be ridden by apprentice jockey Patrice Scorse, which reduces the weight assignment from 137.7 pounds to 131.

As a result, Lord Heron has inherited the role of topweight at 133 pounds. The sprint handicap at Wyong is the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Fenech, who was 4-1 in early betting as of Sunday, has the benefit of a recent start compared to 2-1 favorite Rebel County, a 3-year-old. Rebel County has won 2 of 3 starts, but has not raced since a win in a one-mile handicap at Goulburn Racecourse on Sept. 11.

Rebel County did win a seven-furlong maiden race at Goulburn on Aug. 28 on heavy turf, racing near the front throughout. He was beaten about 1 3/4 lengths in his debut when third earlier last August, indicating the gelding has every chance to run well after this layoff.

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