Australia: Marathon experience gives longshot Kikkapow a chance at Gosford
Experience at an extended distance may help the Australian mare Kikkapow record an upset in a handicap at 1 5/8 miles at Gosford Racecourse near Sydney on Thursday.
Kikkapow is the only runner in a field of eight that has raced at 1 5/8 miles, finishing second twice in handicaps at that distance at Gosford. Last June, Kikkapow was beaten a half-length in a race at that distance.
Trained by Steve Hodge, Kikkapow was seventh in a handicap at 1 7/16 miles later that month before she was given a rest in the second half of 2021. Kikkapow returned to finish fourth in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Port Macquarie on Jan. 1 and won a handicap at 1 5/16 miles against a lower-class of handicap runners at Tuncurry on Jan. 15.
This race at Gosford will present a class test, but experience at the distance is an asset for a 5-year-old mare who has won two of 21 starts. Jockey Rachel King, who was aboard for the second-place finish at Gosford last June, has the mount.
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Kikkapow was 12-1 in early betting on Tuesday, a much higher price than Atonement (9-5), Alastor (3-1), and Sprout Wings (7-2). They will be racing at 1 5/8 miles for the first time.
The marathon handicap is the first race at Gosford, which has a post time of 9:25 p.m. Eastern or 6:25 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Alastor and Atonement were first and second in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Wyong on Sunday, separated at the finish by slightly more than 2 3/4 lengths. Alastor, who set the pace and ended a seven-race losing streak, was 60-1. Atonement was the 5-2 favorite.
This will be the quickest turnaround for Atonement. Alsator did start on consecutive Fridays last August.
Atonement, a 4-year-old filly, is winless in seven starts since a victory in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Hawkesbury last May. Atonement was third in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at 1 3/8 miles at Eagle Farm Racecourse in December 2020 after an eight-day rest, the longest start of her 14-race career.
Sprout Wings, also a 4-year-old filly, has been second in her last four starts since early December, handicaps ranging in distances from a mile to 1 5/16 miles. In that span, Sprout Wings has not been beaten more than 1 1/4 lengths.