Australia: It's Classified turns back at Warrnambool

It’s Classified had a rude debut against winners in Australia in July, finishing seventh of nine Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old fillies in a seven-furlong handicap at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne.

Nearly five months later, farther to the west in the Australian state of Victoria, It’s Classified should have an easier time in a handicap for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs at Warrnambool on Thursday. Trained by Lindsey Smith, It’s Classified has had four starts, winning her third race against maidens at seven furlongs at Geelong in early July.

The race at Warrnambool will be the shortest in It’s Classified’s brief career, but unlikely to pose a problem considering her stalking style. Declan Bates rides It’s Classified, who is part of a field of eight and expected to be a solid favorite.

Warrnambool 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.

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Grable and Carrier Buster are It’s Classified’s main rivals, and are also returning to action following losses.

Grable won her debut at Warrnambool in February, but is winless in four subsequent starts. Grable was fifth of seven in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs against males, and slightly tougher competition, at Geelong on Nov. 23. Grable was as close as third early in that race and was beaten about 3 1/4 lengths.

Carrier Buster won her sixth start in a maiden race at five furlongs at Sale in September, and was sixth and seventh against winners in November. In the latter race, at Sandown on Nov. 24, Carrier Buster was away slowly and sustained a bump with a little more than a quarter-mile remaining, trouble that contributed to a loss by 5 3/4 lengths.

Carrier Buster tends to run as a closer, and could have a pace to follow if Grable and Go Gurda take their customary positions near the front. It’s Classified tends to run close the pace as a stalker.