Australia: Grand Shanghai hopes to continue recent success in Monday handicap

Grand Shanghai was winless in 23 starts in Australia last month when the 6-year-old gelding was transferred from trainer Lindsay Gough to Dwayne Schmidt.

Days later, Grand Shanghai won his debut for Schmidt in a handicap at 1 3/8 miles at Grafton Racecourse on Sept. 27. Schmidt is based at Grafton, and is keeping Grand Shanghai at that track for his next start in a handicap at 1 3/8 miles on Monday evening across American time zones.

Grand Shanghai, a winner of 3 of 41 starts, was the 8-5 favorite in a field of 11 on Sept. 27, closing from third to win by about a neck. There is no clear favorite in the upcoming race at Grafton, with Grand Shanghai a 5-1 chance in early betting along with Letmeletgo as of Sunday morning. Jabber was a slightly favorite at 9-2.

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Letmeletgo, a 5-year-old gelding, has a single win in 15 starts, and has been second or third in seven races. Winless in his last 12 starts, Letmeletgo was third by 1 1/2 lengths as the 3-2 favorite in a handicap at about 1 1/4 miles at Murwillumbah Racecourse on Oct. 10.

Jabber has won 3 of 26 starts, including a handicap at 1 3/8 miles at Grafton on Sept. 19 when he closed from 10th of 14 to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Jabber was not as successful in a handicap at about 1 1/2 miles at Beaudesert on Oct. 3, finishing fourth by 2 1/2 lengths.

Jabber will draw support for the win on Sept. 19, but must be sharp in the final furlong to catch a rejuvenated Grand Shanghai.

Grafton has an eight-race program, beginning at 10:15 p.m. Eastern, or 7:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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