Australia: A fresh Stampede Warrior dangerous at distance in handicap at Scone Racecourse
Stampede Warrior, who won three of four starts in Australia last August and September, will have his first start of 2020 in a five-furlong handicap at Scone Racecourse on Monday.
The 4-year-old gelding has won at distances ranging from six to seven furlongs, and has a stalking style that could work at five furlongs in a large field. The race is expected to draw a full field of 14, and should have an honest pace from runners such as Bengalla Bay, Mambo Bay, and Successor.
Stampede Warrior, trained by Luke Morgan, has won 3 of 7 starts. He was third as the 4-5 favorite in a one-mile handicap last September in his final start of 2019.
Morgan did not have any runners for a six-week period from late April to early June. Stampede Warrior is one of two starters for the stable at Scone on Monday.
Stampede Warrior is likely to be around 10-1. Eiger, a winner of 2 of 6 starts, is expected to be favored in his first start since a sixth-place finish in a handicap for 3-year-olds at Eagle Farm in February. Similar to Stampede Warrior, Eiger races from off the pace.
Stampede Warrior will carry 131 pounds, well below topweight Successor at 137.7 pounds. Successor was third in a handicap against higher-class rivals at Muswellbrook on March 27, and 12th of 13 at 60-1 against an even better group at 5 1/2 furlongs at Royal Randwick on June 6.
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Successor is winless in four starts since leading throughout in a six-furlong handicap at Grafton Racecourse on Feb.6.
Monday’s race is the third race following a three-month break for Skillet, a 4-year-old mare. Skillet won a handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on May 24, closing from fourth. In a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs against a tougher field at Scone on June 9, Skillet set the pace and finished second at 10-1, beaten 1 3/4 lengths.
First post time for the eight-race program at Scone is 10 p.m., Eastern, or 7 p.m., Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.