Australia: King of Castle back on short rest in Coffs Harbour Cup

King of the Castle could only finish a close second in a lucrative one-mile handicap at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, last Saturday, but the experience gained by the 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding could be beneficial later this year.

On Thursday evening, King of the Castle starts in the Coffs Harbour Cup at a mile at Coffs Harbour Racecourse. The first two finishers in the Coffs Harbour Cup earn preliminary invitations to the $1.27 million Big Dance Stakes at a mile at Randwick in November.

The Big Dance field is determined by a series of qualifying races throughout the state of New South Wales. The final field is determined by handicap ratings, meaning a win by King of the Castle in the Coffs Harbour Cup would enhance his rating - and chance to gain a berth in the Big Dance.

The Coffs Harbour Cup will have a maximum field of 14. King of the Castle was 5-1 in early betting on Wednesday, the second choice behind the speedy Stonecoat, who was 7-2.

Stonecoat set the pace at Randwick last Saturday, but faded later to finish a little more than 1 1/2 lengths behind Tazaral. King of the Castle was slightly less than a half-length behind Tazaral at the wire.

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King of the Castle, trained by Joseph Pride, has won 5 of 19 starts in a career that began in New Zealand. King of the Castle is winless in three starts since a one-mile handicap at Warwick Farm in June.

Stonecoat, trained by Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, has won 4 of 10 starts. Stonecoat won a seven-furlong handicap at Randwick in late June, but was beaten in two starts in July.

Hosier, last of 20 in the 2022 Big Dance Stakes, was 7-1 on Wednesday for the Coffs Harbour Cup. Hosier is winless in four starts since a one-mile handicap at Randwick last October, but was a good second in the Winter Challenge Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens July 22.

The Coffs Harbour Cup is part of an eight-race program that begins at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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