Australia: Heart of Puissance big early favorite in Terang Cup

The Australian colt Heart of Puissance was given an ambitious assignment in the $3.5 million All-Star Mile in March 2020, predictably finishing last of 15 at 90-1.

The goals are more realistic this year, and the success rate is higher. Heart of Puissance, a Southern Hemisphere 4-year-old, won for the third time in his nine-race career in a handicap at 1 3/8 miles at Warwick Farm on March 31.

The victory has led to a start in Sunday’s Terang Cup at about 1 5/16 miles at Terang Racecourse. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Heart of Puissance was even money in a field of 12 as of Friday.

The Warwick Farm win ended a six-race losing streak for Heart of Puissance, a span that included a third in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas at a mile in November 2019. At Warwick Farm, Heart of Puissance ran in the longest race of his career.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

The Terang Cup distance should be favorable for Farooq, who was unbeaten in March with wins in handicaps at 1 1/4 miles at Edenhope and Morphettville racecourses. Edenhope has one race day per year.

Farooq, a 5-year-old by Frankel, has won 8 of 24 starts and often races as a stalker.

The 4-year-old gelding Aurora’s Symphony is also in excellent form, with wins in his last three races for trainer Symon Wilde. The wins have been at distances from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles since early February.

In each race, Aurora’s Symphony was near the front throughout. The Terang Cup is Aurora’s Symphony’s first start since a win at 1 1/2 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Feb. 24. Aurora’s Symphony finished a half-length in front of Rising Archie, who won a handicap at 1 5/8 miles at Ballarat on March 21.

There is an eight-race program at Terang, beginning at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.