Australia: Lovetheinvasion favored in Tuesday handicap

Lovetheinvasion is a 3-year-old Australian-bred filly in the early stages of her career.

She won her debut in a seven-furlong maiden race last December and was second through fourth in four races from April 9 to May 22 at distances ranging from 7 1/2 furlongs to about 1 3/16 miles.

On Tuesday, Lovetheinvasion will start favored in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Tamworth Racecourse north of Sydney. The distance is new, and could expose Lovetheinvasion’s vulnerability, providing opponents such as Casirina and French Response with a chance for a win.

Lovetheinvasion tends to run near the front and could be pressured by the outsider The Equinator, an 8-year-old gelding who has won 5 of 67 starts.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Lovetheinvasion, trained by Jason Deamer, was third in a handicap at about 1 3/16 miles at Newcastle on May 22, losing by two lengths to Caesars Palace after setting the pace.

Casirina and French Response tend to run from off the pace and have decent recent results at longer distances.

Casirina, a winner of 2 of 14 starts, was second by 1 1/2 lengths in a handicap at about 1 1/4 miles at Coffs Harbour on May 21, his sixth consecutive loss. A 3-year-old gelding, Casirina is reliant on an honest pace to help his late kick.

French Response, a 5-year-old mare, won a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Mudgee Racecourse on May 9, closing from eighth in a field of 13 to win by two lengths. In her only subsequent start, French Response was third by about three lengths in a handicap at 1 7/16 miles at Muswellbrook.

French Response has won 4 of 27 starts, including two of her last four races. This race will be her first at Tamworth.

The Tamworth program begins at 10:55 p.m. Eastern, or 7:55 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.