Australia: Hosier looks to qualify for second chance at Big Dance in Muswellbrook Gold Cup

AUSTRALIA THURSDAY ADVANCE By Steve Andersen There were high expectations for Hosier in the $1.27 million Big Dance Stakes in Australia last November, until he broke slowly and was rushed into content

There were high expectations for Hosier in the $1.27 million Big Dance Stakes in Australia last November, until he broke slowly and was rushed into contention in the one-mile race.

Hosier faded to finish last of 20 in his final start of 2022.

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Hosier’s 2023 season starts on Thursday in the Muswellbrook Gold Cup at 7 1/2 furlongs, a qualifier for the Big Dance Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Nov. 7.

Trained by Kris Lees, Hosier was the 9-2 favorite in early betting on Wednesday morning for the Muswellbrook Gold Cup, which drew a full field of 14 and is the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:25 p.m. Eastern or 7:25 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Hosier starts from the rail and is likely to be prominent early under apprentice jockey Dylan Gibbons, who rode the 6-year-old gelding to a win in a one-mile handicap at Randwick last October in advance of the Big Dance Stakes.

Sibaaq and Caesars Palace, third and 17^th in the Big Dance Stakes, are part of the Muswellbrook Gold Cup field. Sibaaq was sixth by 2 3/4 lengths in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 11, and was 7-1 in early betting for the Muswellbrook Gold Cup.

Journalism may be a greater threat to Hosier. Journalism won a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on the infield Kensington course at Randwick on March 8 for his fourth win in 11 starts. He raced near the front before pulling clear to win by almost 3 1/2 lengths, his second win in his last four starts.

Journalism was 5-1 as of Wednesday morning.

The first two finishers of the Muswellbrook Gold Cup will qualify for consideration for the Big Dance, which is limited to 20 starters determined by handicap ratings. The Muswellbrook Gold Cup is the 13^th of 28 qualifying races in a series that began last October and continues until mid-October.

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