Australia: Late-running Mr Joobs would benefit from a hot pace

For most of 2021, Mr Joobs has been tried in races ranging in distances from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles at smaller tracks in Australia.

For his final start of the year, and first race since August, Mr Joobs starts on Thursday in a handicap at about a mile at Werribee Racecourse, also known as Spendthrift Australia Park. Tactics could work in favor of Mr Joobs.

Trained by Archie Alexander, Mr Joobs is part of a field of 10 and will be about 6-1. A 4-year-old gelding, Mr Joobs could benefit if an expected speed duel develops between leading contenders such as Achaeus and Quarterback Zac.

Mr Joobs raced from off the pace in races at longer distances, and will be toward the back of the field in the first half of this race.

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Achaeus, a 6-year-old German-bred gelding, won a handicap at about a mile at Sale Racecourse on Dec. 19, leading throughout as the 7-5 favorite. This race marks a rise in class for Achaeus, who has won 3 of 29 starts in his career.

Quarterback Zac won a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Geelong Racecourse on Dec. 10 from the front and has won twice in 11 starts, leading in both victories.

Achaeus and Quarterback Zac are capable of leading throughout if a potential speed duel is not too costly.

Alexander also starts Bonamassa, who has an excellent chance on the basis of his ability to race near the front, though not reliant on setting the pace. Bonamassa was a solid second at Werribee in a one-mile handicap on Dec. 5.

Bonamassa’s lone win in 11 starts was a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic track at Ballarat in August when he closed from seventh in a field of eight. The narrow loss at Werribee on Dec. 5 suggests he can handle turf.

Werribee has an eight-race program beginning at 9:30 p.m. Eastern or 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.