Australia: Maryland Bridge's consistency could pay off in Monday handicap

In three career starts since early June in Australia, Maryland Bridge has never been worse than second. She lost her debut by less than a half-length, beat maidens in her second start, and was second by a half-length in her first start against winners on July 10.

The consistent series of races suggests Maryland Bridge can show further improvement when she starts for the first time at seven furlongs in a handicap at Bathurst Racecourse on Monday evening.

Trained by Paul Clisby, Maryland Bridge’s consistency will draw widespread support in a field of 12. She rates as an attractive prospect along with Turn Up the Night, who was sixth by slightly more than 1 1/4 lengths in a handicap at Newcastle on July 8 against a better field.

Maryland Bridge, who will be ridden by apprentice Jake Barrett, will break from post 2, which should suit the filly’s stalking style.

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Turn Up the Night has won once in four starts, in a maiden race at Gosford Racecourse in January in his debut. A gelding, Turn Up the Night raced in traffic in the stretch at Newcastle, or might have had a better placing considering how close he was at the finish.

This seven-furlong handicap be a better distance for Marigold’s Dream, the winner of a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs at Newcastle in February in her third start. She was later 11th of 12 in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic at a mile at 150-1 in early March, and seventh of 12 in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles on the infield Beaumont course at Newcastle on March 21.

The latter race was at a distance that may not suit Marigold’s Dream, who returns on Monday evening after a layoff of more than four months.

Bathurst has a seven-race program beginning at 10:40 p.m. Eastern or 7:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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