Australia: Kukeracha takes on stablemate in Rowley Mile

Kukeracha ended an early 2021 campaign with a win in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia, on May 29, a first stakes win and a career milestone by any measure.

For his first start in the second half of the year, the New Zealand-bred Kukeracha will be favored to win Thursday’s Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury Racecourse, if he can beat stablemate Order Again.

Both are trained by Chris Waller, who has entered three of the 15 runners in the field, including the outsider Tory Joy.

Post positions may favor Order Again in the Rowley Mile, which is part of an eight-race program that begins at 10:45 p.m. Eastern, or 7:45 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Order Again won the Winter Challenge Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on July 24, but was seventh of 10 as the 4-1 third choice in the Spring Preview Stakes at seven furlongs at Kembla Grange on Aug. 14.

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Order Again broke from the rail and did not have a clean trip, losing by 2 1/4 lengths. He raced on the inside throughout and was unable to find sufficient running room in the final quarter-mile. With a clean run, he could have reached the front.

For the Rowley Mile, Order Again has drawn the outside post, which will force jockey James McDonald to take a patient approach through the first half of a race run around one turn, but should result in a better journey.

Kukeracha has a similar running style, but has drawn the rail in the Rowley Mile. A 4-year-old gelding, Kukeracha has won 3 of 13 starts, including a one-mile allowance race for 3-year-olds at Eagle Farm last December.

Countofmontecristo is in a similar situation as Order Again. An 8-year-old gelding, Countofmontecristo finished fifth by about 1 3/4 lengths in the Winter Challenge from an inside post. He raced on the inside throughout and was under urging with a quarter-mile remaining, but continued fairly well to the finish.

For the Rowley Mile, Countofmontecristo will break from post 13, which should be a boost for his stalking style.