Australia: Field of 15 expected for Summer Provincial Series final at Hawkesbury

Galaxy Belle qualified for the Summer Provincial Series final with a win in the last available trial race at Newcastle Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 3. The victory assured Galaxy Belle a berth in a contentious field of 15 in the one-mile Summer Provincial Series final at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Wednesday evening across American time zones.

A 6-year-old mare trained by Kris Lees, Galaxy Belle ended an eight-race losing streak at Newcastle, closing from fifth in a field of eight to win the one-mile race by 1 3/4 lengths.

The other four trial race winners – Awesome Lad, Bethencourt, Burning Need, and Showtime Lady – will start in the final, with Bethencourt the 3-1 favorite in early betting and 133-pound top weight under handicap conditions.

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Galaxy Belle, a winner of 6 of 23 starts, will carry 129 pounds and be ridden by Aaron Bullock, who was aboard at Hawkesbury. She was an interesting price at 6-1 as of Tuesday.

Bethencourt was sixth behind Showtime Lady in the first trial race at Wyong Racecourse on Nov. 5, but rebounded to win the third trial at Gosforth Racecourse on Nov. 19.

Showtime Lady followed her win at Wyong with a sixth-place finish in a field of nine in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs at Canterbury Racecourse on Nov. 25. She was beaten slightly less than 1 ¼ lengths.

Awesome Lad won a trial at Hawkesbury on Nov. 9, but was fifth of 12 in the Mudgee Cup at a mile on Dec. 2, losing by three lengths after racing near the front.

Burning Need won the fourth trial at 7 1/2 furlongs at Kembla Grange on Nov. 26 for her second win in her last four starts. She has a versatile running style and is capable of racing near the front or off the pace.

Hawkesbury has a seven-race program beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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