Australia: Little Max likely to go to front in Echuca handicap

The lightly raced gelding Little Max is easy to like in a six-furlong handicap at Echuca Racecourse in Australia on Thursday, even with a tough draw.

Little Max has drawn the rail in a field of 13, which is likely to force jockey Billy Egan to use the 3-year-old’s speed to secure position in the early furlongs. Little Max has won with that style, leading throughout a six-furlong maiden race at Kyneton Racecourse last November in his final start of 2021.

In his only start this year, Little Max was second in a six-furlong handicap on the turf course at Ballarat Racecourse, racing near the front throughout before losing by 1 1/4 lengths to In Her Stride, a two-time winner who was favored.

At Echuca, Little Max is most likely to be challenged early by Adki, a 5-year-old mare who won a six-furlong handicap against a lower-level group of runners at Kilmore Racecourse on May 26. Adki, who drew post 8, has had races in rapid succession earlier this year, finishing last of eight in a seven-furlong handicap at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on April 18 and ninth of 16 in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Wagga Wagga Racecourse six days later.

Adki has won 5 of 26 starts and has frequently had races bunched together. This is her 10th start of the year. She has won once this year, in a six-furlong handicap at Kilmore in March in she led throughout.

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A quick pace would be a tremendous benefit for Real Gun, a 5-year-old gelding who has won 3 of 16 starts. Real Gun nearly won a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo Racecourse on May 15, closing from last of nine to finish second by 2 1/2 lengths. This longer distance should suit Real Gun, who will have third start after a three-month layoff at Echuca.

Echuca has a nine-race program beginning at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, or 7:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.