Australia: Maximum Vortex won't be a surprise this time
Maximum Vortex was a 12-1 surprise winner of a maiden race in his career debut at Grafton Racecourse in Australia on April 18. There will be little suspense if the Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old gelding wins again in a handicap at about six furlongs at Grafton on Saturday evening.
Maximum Vortex was the 2-1 co-favorite in early betting on Friday along with Bonjour Rupert, who has not raced since November.
Maximum Vortex, who is trained by Ethan Ensby, led throughout the April 18 race at 5 1/2 furlongs, drawing away by a convincing 5 1/2 lengths under jockey Cejay Graham, who has the mount on Saturday.
Graham is likely to have Maximum Vortex in a prominent position early in a race with 12 rivals but few other potential pacesetters.
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Done and Dusted is an exception. He won a maiden race at five furlongs in his second start on March 27, but was third in his debut against winners in a five-furlong handicap at Grafton on April 18, fading to lose by more than six lengths.
Bonjour Rupert ran three times last October and November, winning the second of those starts in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs. He was later second by 1 3/4 lengths in a handicap at 5 3/4 furlongs in November in his final start of the year.
Bonjour Rupert tends to run from a stalking position and should be well placed if Maximum Vortex fails to handle his first start against winners.
Of the other runners, the longshot Pack of Wolves can be a factor from off the pace. He won a maiden race in his 14th start at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 25 and followed with a third-place finish in a six-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie on April 16, closing from 12th of 13 to lose by a half-length.
Grafton has an eight-race program beginning at 10:36 p.m. Eastern or 7:36 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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