Australia: Just a Joke back quick after ending losing streak

Just a Joke ended a 10-race losing streak with a victory in a handicap at about a mile at Ballina Racecourse in Australia on Feb. 15, his first win in his third start for trainer Jason Reilly.

The stable must have liked what it saw in the win, by a little less than a half-length. Just a Joke will start in a handicap at about a mile on Friday at Ballina, seeking his first back-to-back wins since this time last year when trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Just a Joke was fourth and eighth in his first two starts for Reilly on Jan. 23 and Feb. 2 in shorter races. Just a Joke has won 4 of 26 starts, including two races at roughly a mile and once at 1 1/8 miles.

At Ballina on Friday, Just a Joke is part of a field of nine in the fifth of eight races. The program begins at 9 p.m. Eastern, or 6 p.m. Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Just a Joke will be ridden by Andrew Mallyon, who was aboard for the recent win. Mallyon is likely to have Just a Joke toward the back of the field. Runners such as Group Think, Eira, and Rumberella typically race closer to the front and have the sort of attractive recent form that can pose a threat to Just a Joke.

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Group Think, winless in eight starts, was a game second in a handicap at a mile at Coffs Harbour on Feb. 13, disputing the early pace. Group Think won his only career start at Ballina in a handicap at about a mile last June, his most recent victory.

Rumberella, a 5-year-old gelding, won consecutive starts in handicaps at 1 1/16 miles at Grafton in October and November and was third in a seven-furlong handicap at Coffs Harbour on Feb. 13. This is a better distance for Rumberella, who has won 3 of 23 starts.

Eira was fourth behind Just a Joke on Feb. 15 in his second start following a five-month layoff. Eira is quick enough to set the pace and could have that role in this field.