Australia: Hyannis Port the one to in Newcastle handicap

The free-running filly Hyannis Port may prove impossible to catch in a six-furlong handicap Tuesday at Newcastle Racecourse in Australia.

In her last two starts in May and June, Hyannis Port raced on or near the front and finished second, beaten a length in both races.

In Tuesday’s race, Hyannis Port may not face significant pressure in a field of 12. Many of the other runners are stalkers or race from the back of the field.

Trained by Gerald Ryan, Hyannis Port will be ridden by Jay Ford, who was aboard the filly for a win in a maiden race last December and her second-place finish in a five-furlong race at Kembla Grange on May 19, her first start in nearly four months.

Hyannis Port will carry 127.8 pounds, about eight pounds less than starting topweight Time of Glory.

Virgilio was assigned top weight of 138.8 pounds, but will be ridden by apprentice jockey Cejay Graham and will carry 134.4 pounds.

Hyannis Port may go favored, although there will be support for Al Snip, a filly who has had five starts – a win in a maiden race at six furlongs at Gosford Racecourse in February and third-place finishers in her other races.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Al Snip, who will carry 127.8 pounds, was third by five lengths in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs on June 18 at Wyong Racecourse in her first start since late February. Al Snip, a filly who races from a stalking position, was the 7-5 favorite on June 18 and was 5-2 in early betting for Tuesday’s race as of Sunday.

Tuesday’s race is the third start for Awesome Lad, who won a maiden race in his debut at six furlongs at Gosford in January and was seventh of 12 at 11-1 in a six-furlong handicap on June 20 at Newcastle, racing in fifth-place for the first half-mile.

Awesome Lad, who will carry 130 pounds, is trained by Kris Lees, who has won with 3 of 20 starters since the start of July through Sunday.

The seven-race Newcastle program begins at 10:50 p.m. Eastern, or 7:50 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.