Australia: Jimmysstar looking to rebound in Brisbane Mile

Jimmysstar had a bad day when he finished seventh of 11 in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse in Australia on March 8.

Starting from the rail, Jimmysstar was stuck behind rivals on the inside through the final half-mile, never able to gain a clear path. He was beaten 4 1/4 lengths.

Jimmysstar has a better draw in post 7 for the $195,300 Brisbane Mile, a handicap at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Friday evening. A winner of 5 of 8 starts, Jimmysstar will be a strong favorite to rebound and win his first stakes.

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

Aside from the tough luck loss at Newcastle, Jimmysstar was a game second by a half-length in the Elms Handicap, a listed class race at seven furlongs at Flemington Racecourse in February.

The Brisbane Mile will be Jimmysstar’s first start at the distance. He won a minor handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Cranbourne Racecourse last November in his longest start.

Ciaron Maher trains Jimmysstar as well as the second choice in the field of 14 in Gringotts, the winner of a seven-furlong handicap at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on March 30. Gringotts has won 5 of 11 starts, including his only previous appearance at a mile in a handicap at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne last April.

The Brisbane Mile is part of a nine-race program that begins at 9:38 p.m. Eastern or 6:38 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Morphettville hosts two Group 1 races

The most prestigious races in Australia on Friday night are two Group 1 races worth $651,900 at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide – the Australasian Oaks at 1 1/4 miles, and the Robert Sangster Stakes at six furlongs.

The Maher-trained 3-year-old filly Estriella will be favored to win her Group 1 debut in the Sangster Stakes against older fillies and mares. Estriella, by I Am Invincible, is unbeaten in three starts this year, all stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs and six furlongs. She has won as a closer and by setting the pace.

I Am Me, third by 2 1/4 lengths against males in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at six furlongs at Moonee Valley in March 23, will be a factor as a stalker.

There is no standout runner in a full field of 16 in the Australasian Oaks for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old fillies.

Wings of Songs, the winner of six consecutive races since mid-December, starts in a Group 1 for the first time after dominating the 3-year-old filly division at tracks on the island of Tasmania.

Vibrant Sun, winner of the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes at a mile at Moonee Valley on March 23, and Coco Sun, the winner of a minor handicap at a mile at Bendigo on April 13, were also well-regarded in early betting.

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