Australia: Ljungberg suited for Livermore Cup distance

An 8-year-old gelding who is winless in 15 starts in the last four years and was ninth and seventh in his last two appearances hardly seems like a runner that would inspire confidence.

Oddly, Ljungberg is worth a critical look in the minor Livermore Cup at Taree Racecourse in Australia on Thursday evening despite approaching the race with those flaws in his form.

The seven-furlong distance of the Livermore Cup fits Ljungberg, who has raced against much tougher competition in recent starts at tracks in the Sydney metropolitan area. Ljungberg was seventh of nine in a lucrative handicap at six furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse July 29, closing from 11th in a field of 15 to lose by 2 1/4 lengths.

In the Livermore Cup, Ljungberg will be ridden for the first time by apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald, and will carry a light 116.8 pounds, far less than topweight Casirina at 131 pounds.

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Despite the lengthy losing streak, Ljungberg was as close as second by about 1 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie in May.

Casirina won a seven-furlong handicap at Mudgee Racecourse on July 1 in his most recent win, but followed with an eighth-place finish by slightly less than 3 1/2 lengths in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Coffs Harbour on July 23. Casirina closed from about 10 lengths off the pace to be closest to the front at the finish July 23.

Ljungberg and Casirina will be well-supported, but unlikely to be favored against Agirlsbestfriend, a 4-year-old filly who has won 3 of 11 starts. Agirlsbestfriend won a seven-furlong handicap at Coffs Harbour July 23, and followed with a fifth-place finish by six lengths in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney Aug. 5.

A closer, Agirlsbestfriend has won twice at seven furlongs and once at 7 1/4 furlongs in her career, suggesting the Livermore Cup will be an ideal distance.

Taree has an eight-race program beginning at 10:35 p.m. Eastern or 7:35 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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