Australia: Jukila back on short rest in marathon

Last summer, the New Zealand-bred gelding Jukila won and finished second in two handicaps at the elongated distance of 1 15/16 miles in Australia.

A durable sort, Jukila is winless in 18 starts in the last 13 months since that marathon win, but has finished second six times in that span, mostly in shorter races.

Thursday at Mornington Racecourse, not far from Melbourrne, Jukila is back in a handicap at about 1 15/16 miles with a longshot’s chance for an upset in a full field of 12.

A 7-year-old gelding, Julika is trained by jockey Michelle Payne, best known for her upset win aboard Prince of Penzance in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

Julika was 10-1 in early betting Thursday. The gelding was second in consecutive starts in August in handicaps at 1 5/16 miles and 1 1/2 miles; and sixth of 14, beaten 5 3/4 lengths, in a handicap at Geelong Racecourse on Sunday.

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Such a rapid sequence of racing has occurred in the recent past. Jukila seems to thrive on action. The two August races were six days apart. In April, Julika raced twice in a five-day span, finishing fourth and then third.

The Mornington handicap lacks a clear favorite. Heir to the Throne, Just as Soon, and True Marvel will attract attention, but are racing at this distance for the first time.

True Marvel should have no difficulty with the longer trip. A 6-year-old gelding, True Marvel was beaten a nose in a handicap at 1 13/16 miles on Aug. 7 miles at Newcastle.

The Japanese-bred mare Just as Soon won consecutive handicaps at 1 1/2 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne in June and July before finishing sixth in a handicap at 1 9/16 miles in a more lucrative race at Moonee Valley on Aug. 21.

Heir to the Throne has won two of his last four starts in handicaps at a mile and 1 1/2 miles. Heir to the Throne was fourth by a little more than a half-length in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield on Aug. 28, closing with interest.

Mornington has a nine-race program that begins at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.