Australia: Madame du Gast could kick into gear at Geelong

Since her successful debut in January, Madame du Gast has commanded attention in Australia. For the sake of safety, it’s best to keep an eye on the 4-year-old filly.

In January, Madame du Gast cow-kicked trainer Trevor Rogers in the paddock before her maiden race win at Flemington, an incident that required medical attention for the trainer.

Nearly seven months later, Madame du Gast remains a well-regarded prospect, even if recent races have not produced wins.

Friday at Geelong Racecourse near Melbourne, Madame du Gast will be favored to win for the second time in her sixth start in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs. Since the maiden race win, Madame du Gast was eighth in a Group 3 stakes in her second start and third, fourth, and second in minor handicaps.

On July 31, Madame du Gast finished second by 2 1/2 lengths as the 9-10 favorite in a five-furlong handicap at Bendigo, closing from ninth in a field of 12 in her first start since March. The rain-soaked ground was rated heavy that day, and jockey Craig Williams told the stewards that Madame du Gast was not suited to race conditions.

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The turf at Geelong is expected to be slightly better – rated soft. Madame du Gast is part of a field of eight in the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins at 11 p.m. Eastern or 8 p.m. Pacific on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com

The unbeaten Ivory’s Delight and lightly raced Sir Maximus pose the biggest threats to Madame du Gast.

Ivory’s Delight, a 4-year-old gelding, won his debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo on July 31, closing from last in a field of 10 to prevail by a neck at 13-1.

Sir Maximus won his debut at Terang in February and has since finished second and fourth in handicaps since early July. Those are the only three races in his career.

At Geelong on Aug. 3, Sir Maximus was beaten slightly more than 2 1/4 lengths in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs.