Australia: Lady Tulessa seeks to end five-furlong win drought

Lady Tulessa, who starts in a handicap for fillies and mares at Taree Racecourse in Australia on Monday evening, has an odd record in sprint races through her career.

In 26 starts, Lady Tulessa has won four times – at a half-mile, at 4 1/2 furlongs and twice at 5 1/2 furlongs. She is winless in seven starts at five furlongs, the race distance Monday evening.

Trained by John Shelton since last September, the speedy Lady Tulessa won a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Grafton Racecourse on June 16 and will try to win consecutive races for the first time at Taree. The recent win at Grafton marked the end of a six-race losing streak for the 5-year-old mare since a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Armidale last November.

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Race tactics may be in Lady Tulessa’s favor at Taree. Aside from Harmony Halo, Lady Tulessa may not face significant pressure on the front.

Lady Tulessa is part of a field of 11 in the fourth race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Lady Tulessa was the 7-2 co-favorite in early betting as of Sunday, along with My One, who is winless in her last five starts and has not raced since a fourth-place finish by three lengths in a five-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie in March.

My One has won twice at five furlongs, the only victories in her 17-race career. She consistently runs from off the pace.

My One will be joined at the back of the field by No Filter, who was second in a five-furlong handicap at Muswellbrook on July 3, closing from seventh in a field of nine to lose by a length.

No Filter has won 2 of 14 starts, with both wins at five furlongs in December and February.

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