Australia: I Am News cuts back in Geelong handicap

A handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Morphettville Racecourse in Australia last month may have been a touch too far for the 4-year-old I Am News.

A start in a handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Geelong Racecourse near Melbourne on Thursday seems like a better fit for the gelding, who has won 2 of 7 starts, with both wins coming in his last five starts.

I Am News is part of a field of nine at Geelong, which has an eight-race program beginning at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, or 6:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

I Am News, trained by Brett Stanley, was the narrow winner of a handicap at a mile at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Nov. 24, his first victory against winners. I Am News set the pace in that race, but has won from a stalking position in the past.

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Tuesday, I Am News was 5-1 in early betting for the Geelong race, behind expected favorites Irish Playboy or Vivacious Award, who were 3-1.

Irish Playboy, who will carry top weight of 138.8 pounds, finished 12th of 13 as a 15-1 outsider in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Sandown on Dec. 15 in his first start since August.

In mid-2021, Irish Playboy raced against tougher company than what he will meet at Geelong, suggesting the class relief will be a plus for a 5-year-old gelding who has won 5 of 14 starts. Irish Playboy has yet to win beyond a mile.

Vivacious Award, a 4-year-old filly, has won 2 of 9 starts, and won her last start in a lower-level handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Horsham Racecourse on Dec. 19. If she can handle a more difficult class level, Vivacious Award can be a factor from off the pace. She has a friendly weight assignment of 125 pounds, the lowest in the field.