Australia: Magnavale's form flattered in advance of Barlens City Handicap

Magnavale, a 6-year-old Australian-bred mare, has exceeded expectations in three starts this year, winning once and finishing second twice at odds of 10-1 or higher in sprint races.

Thursday, Magnavale will be the focus for bettors in the Barlens City Handicap at about six furlongs at Albury Racecourse in Australia.

Magnavale has won 6 of 19 starts in her career, including two of her last five appearances since September. Trained by Geoff Duryea, Magnavale tends to run near the front. After winning a six-furlong handicap at Wagga Wagga on Jan. 7, Magnavale was second by 1 1/4 lengths at Flemington Racecourse on Jan. 29 and second by a neck in a six-furlong handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Feb. 19.

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Cielo d’Oro, who beat Magnavale on Feb. 19, returned to finish second against a much tougher field in a sprint handicap at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

Magnavale is part of a full field of 15 in the Barlens City Handicap, the last of seven races on an Albury program that begins at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday.

Magnavale, who was a slight favorite in early betting on Tuesday, will be ridden by Mathew Cahill, who was aboard for the win at Wagga Wagga.

Forever Newyork, a 7-year-old gelding, figures to play a vital role as a stalker. Trained by Gary Colvin, Forever Newyork won consecutive starts in six-furlong handicaps in December, and was fifth, beaten slightly less than a length in his only subsequent start – a lucrative six-furlong handicap at Gold Coast Racecourse on Jan. 5.

Even though Forever New York has not raced in 10 weeks, it is worth noting that he has run well repeatedly following layoffs throughout his 31-race career, which includes seven wins.