Australia: Freaky Freckles a danger off the layoff

Freaky Freckles, a 5-year-old Australian-bred mare, is winless in three starts since a seven-furlong handicap at Goulburn Racecourse last August. The win in her not-too-distant past looks very important as Freaky Freckles returns to the same venue for a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs on Thursday in her first start since September.

A winner of 4 of 26 starts, Freaky Freckles has won following a layoff twice in her career – in 2019 and last June in her first start in more than four months. For all of 2021, Freaky Freckles won 2 of 8 starts, which gives her an excellent chance in the upcoming race at Goulburn, which lacks a clear favorite in a field of 14.

Goulburn, which is slightly more than a two-hour drive south of Sydney, has an eight-race program beginning at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, or 6:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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In preparation for her comeback, Freaky Freckles finished first in a training race from the gate, or barrier trial, at about a half-mile at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Feb. 9. The mare is trained by Theresa Bateup and will be ridden by her regular rider, Jess Taylor.

Freaky Freckles tends to run as a stalker, which should give Taylor options from a start in post 9. Freaky Freckles was an interesting price of 7-1 in early betting on Tuesday, much higher than expected favorite Da Nang Star at 7-2 or Mr Aloysius at 5-1.

Da Nang Star is winless in four starts since a victory in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury Racecourse last August. In two of those recent losses, Da Nang Star was second, including a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Newcastle Racecourse on Feb. 5, when he set the pace and was beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

Da Nang Star is expected to be prominent in this large field, which could pose a problem if early pressure emerges from Mr Aloysius.

A 6-year-old gelding, Mr Aloysius won a seven-furlong handicap at Sapphire Coast Racecourse on Jan. 30 for his fourth win in 22 starts, and first victory in nine starts since last April. Mr Aloysius led throughout that race.