Australia: The Hungarian looks to build on maiden breakthrough

The Hungarian, a 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, needed three races in 2022 to beat maidens, living up to his promising pedigree.

For 2023, The Hungarian has every chance to rise through Australia’s competitive handicap divisions, beginning with his debut against winners in a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Sunday evening.

The Hungarian, trained by Paul Messara, was the 6-5 favorite in early betting Saturday to build on his maiden race win in a seven-furlong race at Tamworth on Nov. 29, his second start following an eighth-month layoff.

The Hungarian was ninth in his debut in February and fifth in his comeback in October. The Hungarian is by the prominent stallion Snitzel, an outstanding sprinter, and is out of Pretty Pins, a Group 3 winner at 1 1/4 miles toward the end of her career.

At Muswellbrook, The Hungarian heads a field of 10 that includes the promising filly Agirlsbestfriend. Trained by Marc Quinn, Agirlsbestfriend won her fourth start in a maiden race at about seven furlongs at Coffs Harbour on Dec. 29, closing from 13th in a field of 14 to win by a nose as the 3-1 favorite.

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While The Hungarian and Agirlsbestfriend are well-regarded for recent maiden race wins, the veteran Zachariah has a more consistent record of placings despite going winless in his last 18 starts since March 2021.

Zachariah was given a busy schedule in November and December, starting five times in races ranging in distance from six furlongs to a mile. He was second three times in those races, including a loss by slightly more than a half-length in a one-mile handicap at Gilgandra on Dec. 31.

Zachariah closed from last to be closest to the finish at the wire, suggesting he will be a factor from off the pace at Muswellbrook.

Muswellbrook has a seven-race program beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern, or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.