Australia: Hot pace in Gosford handicap would benefit The Chosen One

A potential speed duel could work in favor of The Chosen One in a one-mile handicap at Gosford Racecourse in Australia on Thursday.

The Chosen One, a 5-year-old gelding, can win his second consecutive race against a field of eight in which several of the contenders have a tendency to run near the front. The Chosen One stalked the pace in a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Jan. 17 before taking the lead in the stretch to win by slightly less than a half-length as the 8-5 favorite.

A similar trip is possible at Gosford, although this time The Chosen One will be a better price. As of Tuesday, The Chosen One was 5-1 in early betting, compared to Sonic Tycoon (5-2), Mo the Great (3-1), and Super Vino (4-1). Those leading contenders are capable of disputing the pace.

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The Chosen One, trained by Damien Lane, will be ridden by Darryl McLellan, who has been aboard the gelding for three starts following a layoff of nearly nine months. The Chosen One was second in a six-furlong handicap at Wyong on Dec. 9 and fourth by two lengths in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Jan. 4.

The Chosen One has drawn post 5, which should lead to an ideal trip.

Sonic Tycoon, a winner of 2 of 9 starts, was second by a half-length in a one-mile handicap at Gosford on Dec. 23 in which he set the pace. More recently, Sonic Tycoon was last of seven in a one-mile handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse on Jan. 12 against a higher level of handicap runners. Sonic Tycoon raced within a length of the lead before fading through the stretch.

Super Vino is expected to challenge for the lead. A winner of 4 of 18 starts, Super Vino led throughout a one-mile handicap at Nowra Racecourse on Dec. 31 and is likely to have a similar trip from post 2 in this field.

The featured one-mile handicap is the fourth race on an eight-race program at Gosford that begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.