Australia: Kayobi begins season in Midway Provincial Championship qualifier
Kayobi had a sparkling conclusion to his 2022 season in Australia, winning his final three starts from mid-June to mid-October. The start of his 2023 campaign could be quite lucrative.
Kayobi will start as a slight favorite in the $100,000 Midway Provincial Championship qualifier at Gosford Racecourse on Wednesday evening. If Kayobi finishes in the first two in a full field of 16, he will qualify for the $334,000 final at seven furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on April 7.
The Provincial Championship is restricted to horses based with trainers who have stables in the New South Wales countryside.
Kayobi, a winner of 3 of 5 starts, is trained at Newcastle Racecourse by Sam Kavanagh. A 4-year-old gelding, Kayobi tends to run from a tracking position. He has every chance for a favorable trip at Gosford with a start from post 6.
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Loch Eagle and Samoot, both trained by Kris Lees, have excellent credentials for their first starts of the year.
Loch Eagle, a winner of 3 of 14 starts, was fourth by less than a length in the $169,800 Gateway Stakes at seven furlongs for southern hemisphere 4-year-olds at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane on Dec. 10 in his most recent start. Loch Eagle, who runs from off the pace, won as recently as last September in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Canterbury Racecourse.
Samoot, a winner of 4 of 15 starts, was sixth of 10 as the 5-2 second choice in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes at six furlongs at Doomben Racecourse on Dec. 3, beaten slightly more than 2 1/2 lengths. Samoot broke slowly and closed ground in the final furlong to be nearest the front at the wire.
Samoot is capable of stalking the pace or racing from the back of the field. He won a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Canterbury in October.
Gosford has an eight-race program beginning at 10:15 p.m. Eastern or 7:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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