Australia: King Gutho figures to fire fresh at Queanbeyan Racecourse

King Gutho will have his second comeback of the year when he starts as a strong favorite in a six-furlong handicap at Queanbeyan Racecourse in Australia on Sunday evening across American time zones.

Judging from his result in April after a break of nearly four months, the 4-year-old gelding will be a force against a field of 10.

Trained by Joe Cleary, King Gutho had two starts in April, winning a five-furlong handicap at Sapphire Coast on April 1, but finishing only 10th of 12 in a six-furlong handicap at Canberra on April 15. At Canberra, King Gutho raced between rivals for the first half-mile and was well placed in early stretch. Jockey Brodie Loy urged King Gutho briefly with a furlong remaining, but got no response and did not persevere with his mount in the final sixteenth.

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Prior to this comeback at Queanbeyan, King Gutho finished second in a barrier trial, or schooling race from the gate, at five furlongs on Aug. 22. Jockey Alysha Collett takes the mount for the first time on King Gutho at Queanbeyan and is likely to have her mount in a stalking position from post 6, a suitable draw for his style.

The quick filly Prophet’s Pride will be the runner to catch, and looks to have a serious chance for an upset.

Prophet’s Pride won a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs and a handicap at six furlongs at Queanbeyan in February and March. A winner of 2 of 7 starts, Prophet’s Pride was later ninth in the listed Canberra Guineas in March, and last of 15 at 100-1 in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in April before she was given a rest.

This race at Queanbeyan marks Prophet's Pride's comeback and is a more sensible race for an attempt at a third win. She is likely to have a prominent position on the lead, a style that worked earlier in her career.

Queanbeyan has a seven-race program beginning at 11:10 p.m. Eastern or 8:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.