Australia: Jockey Rachael Murray will try to pull off another minor upset with Martian Queen

Australian jockey Rachael Murray has had her best results of the year in the last three weeks, winning with six of 36 mounts.

Martian Queen has been part of that success, winning a minor handicap at a mile at Gunnison Racecourse on May 2. Murray, 32, is back aboard Martian Queen in a one-mile handicap Monday at Tamworth Racecourse.

Murray will have a busy afternoon, with mounts in five of the eight races on a program that begins at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Murray rode Martian Queen for the first time at Gunnison, a victory that ended a five-race losing streak since August for the 4-year-old filly. Martian Queen was always near the front in a field of 12 and won by a neck at 5-1. She figures to be about the same price at Tamworth in a race that drew a full field of 12.

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Trained by Stephen Jones, Martian Queen typically runs from off the pace. She has won 3 of 14 starts, with all of the wins at a mile.

The favorite will be the lightly raced Five Crowns, a 4-year-old gelding who has won 2 of 6 starts for prominent trainer Kris Lees.

Five Crowns, however, is winless in four starts since October, but was an encouraging second in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle Racecourse on April 21, closing from sixth of 12 to miss by slightly less than a half-length.

Five Crowns will start at a mile for the first time at Tamworth. Regular rider Aaron Bullock has the mount.

The race drew 16, but will have a safety limit of 12 starters. The 3-year-old gelding Rockbarton Roman is on the also-eligible list, but will draw attention if he gains a berth in the field.

Rockbarton Roman has won 2 of 8 starts, with the wins in his last four starts. Rockbarton Roman finished fourth in a handicap against a slightly tougher class of runners in a race at about 1 1/8 miles at Newcastle on April 30 and should appreciate a shorter trip.