Australia: Miss Powerbelle can extend win streak with Monday handicap

Miss Powerbelle has compiled a three-race winning streak during the last 50 weeks in Australia that has an excellent chance to continue when she starts for a new stable in a five-furlong handicap at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Monday.

Miss Powerbelle does not race too often. The current streak began with a win in a handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs last January and continued in a handicap at 4 3/4 furlongs in March. Miss Powerbelle’s only subsequent start was a half-length win in a five-furlong handicap at Tamworth Racecourse on Oct. 11 at odds of 1-2.

In each win, Miss Powerbelle raced as a stalker.

A 6-year-old New Zealand-bred mare, Miss Powerbelle was even-money in early betting for the Muswellbrook race as of Saturday morning, a clear favorite in a field of 10 over Bengalla Bay (5-1) and Eiger (7-1).

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Miss Powerbelle has won 5 of 13 starts. The three recent wins were for trainer Cameron Crockett. This is her first start for Aleacia Bennett, who has a small stable. Of her last 50 starters from late October 2020 to Jan. 1 of this year, Bennett has won five times.

Bengalla Bay won a five-furlong handicap at Wyong Racecourse on Dec. 9, and has been third and fourth in his last two starts. Bengalla Bay, who is likely to set the pace, was beaten three lengths in a five-furlong handicap at Gosford Racecourse on Dec. 29, losing to the promising filly Rupertaar, a winner of 3 of 5 starts.

Eiger won a one-mile handicap at Scone Racecourse in August in his most recent start. A winner of 6 of 21 starts, this race will be a distance test for Eiger, who has won at 5 1/2 furlongs in his career but has not started at five furlongs.

Eiger has set the pace or raced near the front in recent starts, ranging from seven furlongs to a mile. He could easily finish in the first three and could threaten Miss Powerbelle if he takes to the shorter trip.

Muswellbrook has a seven-race program beginning at 9:55 p.m. Eastern, or 6:55 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.