Australia: Kempsey Cup looks wide open

Between Group 1 programs on Thursday and Saturday at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, the racing scene in Australia is quieter on Friday.

Tiny Kempsey Racecourse, well north of Sydney, hosts its namesake race on Friday – the Kempsey Cup at 7 1/4 furlongs, which drew a full field of 12.

As of Wednesday, Asudem was the 9-5 favorite in early betting, but Chamisal, Editors and Mo the Great have credentials that could yield a win.

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Editors, a 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding by Street Cry, has attractive form, having won a handicap at the same distance at Kempsey in September in his first start since May. A closer, Editors was later fourth and third in handicaps in late September and early October, finishing behind Chamisal in the latter race.

Asudem, a 5-year-old gelding, tends to run from a stalking position. A winner of 5 of 21 starts, Asudem won a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs in March as the 9-5 favorite and has finished sixth, third and second in three starts since early September. He was beaten 1 3/4 lengths in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Taree on Oct. 16 and should benefit from this slightly longer trip.

The Kempsey Cup is the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:15 p.m., Eastern, or 6:15 p.m., Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Chamisal, a 5-year-old gelding, will carry top weight of 133 pounds, compared to 130 for Asudem, 129 for Mo the Great and 126.7 pounds for Editors.

Chamisal, well drawn in post 6, ended a 12-race losing streak since early January with a half-length win in a handicap at a mile at Taree on Oct.16. Chamisal was sixth behind Editors at Kempsey in early September.

Mo the Great was fourth in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Newcastle on Oct. 27 in his first start in two months, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. Mo the Great often races as a stalker, but has disputed the pace in some starts. He is winless in four starts since a handicap at a mile at Taree in October 2019.