Australia: Influential Jack must beat Peskijen to win handicap at Ballarat

With a solid recent prep race, Influential Jack can win for the second time in his career in a seven-furlong handicap at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia on Sunday, if he can overcome a threat from the young filly Peskijen.

Influential Jack, a 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, was second of nine in a six-furlong handicap at Geelong Racecourse on Sept. 6 in his first start since March. He was dismissed at 20-1, but ran near the front throughout to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind Barocha, who is undefeated after two starts.

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Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Influential Jack will have his 10th race on Sunday. He won a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs at Cranbourne Racecourse in his third start in August 2019. Earlier this year, Influential Jack was fourth in the Group 2 Autumn Classic at 1 1/8 miles at Caulfield Racecourse in August.

Influential Jack will have 13 rivals in Sunday’s handicap, the seventh race on a nine-race program that begins at 10:55 a.m., or 7:55 p.m., Eastern, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Peskijen, bred in New Zealand, is the only 3-year-old in the field and will not have her actual third birthday until November. Trained by David Brideoake, Peskijen won her debut in a six-furlong maiden race at Sale on Aug. 30. Sunday’s race is her second start.

She is expected to be well backed. Because of her age, sex and relative inexperience, Peskijen will carry the minimum weight of 123 pounds under the handicap conditions. Influential Jack will carry 131 pounds, 4.4 pounds less than joint topweights Able Engine and The Wrangler.

The Wrangler has won 4 of 22 starts and was fifth against a much tougher handicap field at Sandown Racecourse on Aug. 26. He was second in a field comparable to Sunday’s group in a handicap at Sandown at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 12, losing by about a neck.