Australia: The Milkybar Kid looks strong if he gets into handicap

Late scratches will have a tremendous effect on a handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday.

The Milkybar Kid, a sharp winner of a maiden race at a mile in his fifth career start at Wyong Racecourse on June 16, was the 7-2 favorite in early betting but is stuck on the also-eligible list. The race drew a field of 16, but only 11 will start.

The presence of The Milkybar Kid would affect the pace since the 3-year-old New Zealand-bred tends to run near the front.

Without The Milkybar Kid in the field, the role of favorite is likely to go Karlstad, who has had a busy month. Trained by Chris Waller, Karlstad won a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs at Canterbury Park on June 8, but was third of 12 by about 2 3/4 lengths in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles for 3- and 4-year-olds at Rosehill Gardens on June 18. A winner of 4 of 17 starts, Karlstad has won twice at 1 1/8 miles in his career.

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The 6-year-old Brown Thomas is well-suited to races at 1 1/8 miles, with two victories over that trip, and has won four races at even longer distances. Trained by Matthew Smith, Brown Thomas won a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Kensington on June 15 racing near the front throughout in his first start on the course.
Brown Thomas would be helped without The Milkybar Kid, considering he tends to set the pace.

The also-eligible list includes another leading contender in Zadig, who won a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Randwick on June 1 by leading throughout. Zadig, who will start at 1 1/8 miles for the first time on the Kensington course, does not always display that style.

The eight-race program begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern, or 7:15 p.m. Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.