Australia: Lily faces challenges in Northern Classic Plate

The speedy filly Which Lily has compiled a three-race winning streak since December utilizing her quickness to lead throughout races at five furlongs at Townsville Racecourse in Australia.

Thursday, Which Lily starts at six furlongs for the first time in the Northern Classic Plate at Townsville, a distance that could provide a stern test. She is one of five fillies in a field of 10, but is not the only one capable of setting the pace. Which Lily could be challenged by Kaoru Princess, a maiden race winner in December.

Which Lily has won 3 of 4 starts, all at Townsville, a coastal town in northeast Australia. Trained by Ben Williams, Which Lily was third in her debut last October and followed with wins in a maiden race in November and a handicap in December.

Which Lily was the 5-1 winner against six rivals in a five-furlong handicap on June 4 in her comeback. The geldings Higher Realm and Tennessee Boy were second and third in that race and are entered in Thursday’s Northern Classic Plate, which is part of the Queensland Thoroughbred Investment Scheme for horses bred in that state.

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Both Higher Realm and Tennessee Boy are well familiar with Townsville and have won at the track at six furlongs. They are a threat to Which Lily if the pace is fierce, or the distance becomes an issue.

Higher Realm, who tends to run from of the pace has won 2 of 4 starts, with both victories at Townsville. Tennessee Boy, who races near the lead and can set the pace, has won 3 of 7 starts, with all the wins at Townsville.

Kaoru Princess was eighth of 10 in the Gold Pearl Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs in January and did not race again until June 5 when she finished third of seven in a handicap at 4 3/4 furlongs at Cairns Racecourse.

First post at Townsville is 9:20 p.m. Eastern, or 6:20 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.