Australia: Hot pace may help Oakfield Mahogany redeem himself

The only meaningful role the Australian gelding Oakfield Mahogany played in his 2022 debut last month was going off as the 4-5 favorite.

Oakfield Mahogany was never a factor in a six-furlong handicap at Scone, unable to close any ground in the stretch while chasing a loose leader in Overextend.

Race tactics may help Oakfield Mahogany in his second start of the year in a six-furlong handicap at Gosford Racecourse on Thursday. There is a chance that leading contenders One Way Street and Xpresso will set a quick pace that will help Oakfield Mahogany’s rally.

In his debut last December at Scone, Oakfield Mahogany closed from fourth of 11 to win a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs for trainer Damien Lane. The race at Gosford will be Oakfield Mahogany’s third start.

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Gosford has an eight-race program beginning at 10 p.m. Eastern or 7 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Oakfield Mahogany will be ridden for the first time by Rachel King and will start from post 3 in a field of eight, surrounded by One Way Street to his inside and Xpresso in post 4.

The potential race tactics would also boost the chances of Onehelvason, who closed well to be second as the 4-5 favorite in a six-furlong handicap at Goulburn on May 10 in his first start in three months.

One Way Street is likely to be a slight favorite over Xpresso. One Way Street led throughout a six-furlong maiden race at Wyong Racecourse on April 28 in his fifth career start and third race of the year. Jason Collette, who rode One Way Street to a second-place finish last December, has the mount.

Xpresso had had three starts, winning his second appearance in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs as Gosford on April 25. Xpresso was only fifth of 10 in a six-furlong handicap at Newcastle Racecourse on May 14 after leading into the stretch as the 8-5 favorite.

Xpresso may have trouble holding the same advantage in this field, if the expected pressure from One Way Street develops.