Australia: Lightly raced fillies might have edge at Gosford

The careers of the fillies Lucky Variety and My Eloise are on similar paths in advance of their first meeting, which comes in a six-furlong handicap at Gosford Racecourse on Tuesday.

Both returned from a brief layoff to win maiden races a day apart earlier this month, and both have potential for improvement.

My Eloise was the 7-5 favorite in early betting on Monday on the strength of a win by nearly three lengths in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Nov. 9. My Eloise was the 3-4 favorite and raced near the front throughout in her first start since July.

Trained by Joseph Pride, My Eloise has had four starts.

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Lucky Variety, who was 3-1 on Monday, won a maiden race for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs at Gosford on Nov. 8, closing from sixth in a field of eight to win by slightly less than a length. The win was Lucky Variety’s third start and first race since a second at Canterbury Racecourse in early June for trainer Kris Lees.

This race at Gosford has drawn a field of nine and is the second race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:25 p.m. Eastern or 6:25 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

While several runners in the field have ample experience, the more lightly raced runners were preferred in early betting. Fashion Legend, a 3-year-old gelding, rates an excellent chance in his second start following a three-month layoff.

Fashion Legend won an allowance race at Grafton Racecourse in July and was second in a six-furlong handicap at Kembla Grange on Aug. 4, losing by 1 1/4 lengths.

In his comeback, Fashion Legend was third by 3 1/2 lengths as the 6-5 favorite in a five-furlong handicap at Hawkesbury on Nov. 17, racing closest to the front at the finish. This longer race may be a better fit.

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