Australia: Mazita favored to succeed as he goes a little longer

The lightly raced gelding Mazita, a winner of two of his last four starts, will be favored to win his debut at a mile at Scone Racecourse in Australia on Thursday evening.

Mazita, trained at Scone by Lyle Chandler, beat winners for the first time in a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Nov. 24, closing from fourth of seven as the 3-5 favorite. The style of the win signifies that a slightly longer distance is within range for the 4-year-old Mazita.

The recent win was Mazita’s second start following a layoff of nearly five months.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

At Scone, Mazita will carry top weight of 135.5 pounds and will be ridden by Ashley Morgan, who has the mount for the second time. Morgan rode Mazita to a sixth-place finish in a field of seven in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Nov. 5. Mazita was beaten slightly more than a length that day.

Mazita is part of a field of 11 at Scone, which has a seven-race program beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern or 6 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Mazita has started six times, and two of his primary rivals are Are You Joking and Gold Smiles, who raced at Muswellbrook on Nov. 24.

Gold Smiles was second by a half-length to Mazita in his first start against winners on Nov. 24. He won a seven-furlong maiden race at Moree on Nov. 3 in his 12th start.

Are You Joking is a three-time starter who beat maidens in his most recent race at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Nov. 24 as the 1-2 favorite.

Are You Joking, trained at Scone by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, began racing in late October. Morgan was aboard for Are You Joking’s first three starts. Aaron Bullock has the mount on Thursday evening.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.