Australia: Mayapple may have company on lead in first start against winners
Mayapple is the sort of mare who wants to be involved from the start.
After finishing third once in her first six starts in Australia, trainer Jason Coyle changed tactics. Instead of having Mayapple closing from off the pace, she was sent toward the front beginning in mid-March.
Mayapple finished fourth at 40-1 after setting the pace March 18, was beaten a short head after racing near the front on March 28, and finally won April 15 as a pacesetter.
A 5-year-old, Mayapple is expected to set the pace when she has her debut against winners in a one-mile handicap for nonwinners of two at Wyong Racecourse on Wednesday evening.
Mayapple is part of a full field of 14 and will be tested against a large group. She could face early pressure from Critical Time or The Denzel, but they are in the midst of losing streaks that limit confidence in their abilities to sustain any early threats.
A greater threat is Queenmaker, who is winless in seven starts since June. She has been second in three of her last four starts, losing each of those races by slightly more than a length.
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Queenmaker is quick enough to lead, but also is effective from a stalking position. As of Tuesday, Queenmaker was the 3-1 favorite in early betting, while Mayapple was the 9-2 second choice.
Reginald, a 4-year-old gelding with a single win in 20 starts, will benefit from a speed duel, but his lack of victories suggest a placing may be more likely.
Many of the runners in the field have been stuck at the one-win level for several starts. An exception is Damascap, who beat maidens in a 40-1 upset in a one-mile race at Hawkesbury on April 13 in his fourth start. Damascap, who will debut against winners at Wyong, was 100-1 in his first three races, and a placing in this field would be a surprise.
Wyong has an eight-race program beginning at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, or 7:30 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.