Australia: Highly Desired, Total Recall rematched in Gunnedah Showcase Cup

The seven-furlong Arrowfield Country Cup at Scone Racecourse in Australia on May 14 was a little too tough for Highly Desired and Total Recall, who finished third and fifth in a field of 14, beaten a length and 3 1/2 lengths.

Those two are on the same schedule this month, reappearing as the two principal runners in Sunday’s Gunnedah Showcase Cup at a mile at Gunnedah Racecourse. They face familiar rivals. Of the 14 runners in the main body of the Gunnedah Showcase Cup, five others had their last start in the Country Cup at Scone.

Highly Desired, a winner of 6 of 30 starts, had his second start of 2021 in the Country Cup, going off as a 25-1 outsider and racing near the front throughout. Highly Desired has won 2 of 9 starts at a mile in his career, most recently in the Coonabarabran Cup at the racecourse of the same name last October.

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Highly Desired is quick enough to set the pace, while Total Recall is more likely to race as a stalker.

Total Recall, a winner of 5 of 14 starts, was fifth in the $154,000 Tamworth Cup at seven furlongs on April 23, beaten a half-length as the 5-2 favorite. He is expected to be favored in the Gunnedah Showcase Cup.

The one-mile distance of Showcase Cup is ideal for Wild Rocket, who is unbeaten in two starts at the trip.

A 4-year-old filly, Wild Rocket has won 4 of 16 starts. Her most recent victory was a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Dubbo Racecourse in February. In the Country Cup, Wild Rocket was seventh at 10-1, but was beaten only 3 1/2 lengths in a tight finish.

First post time at Gunnedah is 10:15 p.m., Eastern, or 7:15 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.