Australia: Miracle Spin can get distance in Albury Gold Cup
Miracle Spin flew through the final furlong of a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on March 2 to miss winning by a short head.
The narrow loss served as a prep for the richest race of Miracle Spin’s career in the $130,600 Albury Gold Cup at the same distance at Albury Racecourse on Thursday evening.
Miracle Spin was the 2-1 favorite in a field of 11 as of early Wednesday, a slight choice over two attractive rivals in Fawkner Park and So United.
A winner of 4 of 17 starts, Miracle Spin is winless in three career starts at 1 1/4 miles, although the recent third-place finish at Randwick showed the distance is well within reason for the 5-year-old British-bred gelding.
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So United should be able to handle the distance, if the 6-year-old does not face too much early pressure as an expected pacesetter. So United has won 6 of 34 starts, including winning the Magic Millions Trophy at 1 3/8 miles at Gold Coast on Jan. 13 by leading throughout.
So United set the pace in the Canberra Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Canberra Racecourse on March 10 but faded to lose by 1 3/4 lengths as the 6-5 favorite.
Fawkner Park was scratched from the Canberra Cup in favor of a start the preceding day in the Australia Cup Prelude at 1 1/8 miles at Flemington, where he finished fourth by 3 1/4 lengths.
Fawkner Park was reported to be dealing with a throat issue in a post-race report. He won twice at 1 1/4 miles earlier in his career, most recently in a lower-class handicap at Doomben Racecourse last May.
The Albury Gold Cup has long-term ramifications. The first two finishers qualify for the $1.95 million Big Dance Stakes at a mile at Randwick on Nov. 5, provided they are among the top 20 horses in the handicap weights.
Albury has an eight-race program beginning at 10:05 p.m. Eastern or 7:05 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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