Australia: Infatuation should relish class drop

A vital class drop may propel the Australian filly Infatuation to a second career win in a six-furlong handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney on Tuesday evening.

Infatuation, who has had seven starts, finished last of eight in the Rosebud Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Aug. 12 in her most recent appearance. Infatuation was as close as third early, but faded through the stretch.

Infatuation won the fourth start of her career last December in a six-furlong maiden race at Royal Randwick Racecourse, racing near the front throughout.

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

At Warwick Farm, Infatuation is part of a field of nine Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and is favorably drawn in post 4, which should aid her stalking style.

The field includes three runners from the powerful Chris Waller stable – Ashfall, Disney Castle, and Fightertown, who will race as a gelding for the first time. Of those, Ashfall is well-regarded and may be a slight favorite over Infatuation.

Ashfall, who will be ridden by Nash Rawiller, has not raced since he closed from 11th in a field of 13 with a late rush to win a maiden race at seven furlongs by slightly more than a length at Hawkesbury on June 11 in his second start.

Fightertown is still a maiden after four starts, but will draw support because of the booking of James McDonald, the perennial leading rider by earnings in Australia. Disney Castle has appeal on the basis of a debut win in a maiden race at six furlongs at Kembla Grange on Aug. 12 when he closed from fifth in a field of 12.

Just Gisella is another danger from slightly off the pace. Trained by Michael Freedman, Just Gisella won her first start of 2023 in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Aug. 8, closing from third in a field of six.

Warwick Farm has a seven-race program beginning at 11:25 p.m. Eastern or 8:25 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.