Australia: Mr Tabasco looks prepped and ready

Mr Tabasco was in need of a start when he finished fourth by slightly more than a half-length in a five-furlong handicap at Coffs Harbour Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 1.

Mr Tabasco had not raced since mid-July, and closed from fifth in a field of 10. The recent start will serve Mr Tabasco well when he appears in another five-furlong handicap at Coffs Harbour on Wednesday evening across American time zones.

Trained by Brett Bellamy, who is based at Coffs Harbour, Mr Tabasco is part of a field of 11 and was the 2-1 favorite in early betting as of Tuesday morning, a slight choice over Hauraki Gulf at 3-1.

They not only lead the betting but also the weights. Hauraki Gulf will carry top weight of 140 pounds, while Mr Tabasco has been assigned 135.5.

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Mr Tabasco has won 2 of 6 starts. He won his second career start in May in a handicap for Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds and again two races later in a six-furlong handicap.

Now racing as a 3-year-old, Mr Tabasco had his debut against older horses at Coffs Harbour on Dec. 1. Raymond Stokes has ridden Mr Tabasco in all of his starts and has the mount again on Wednesday evening. Stokes is likely to have Mr Tabasco off the pace early.

Hauraki Gulf, a winner of 3 of 20 starts, is winless in three appearances since a handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs at Gold Coast in June. Hauraki Gulf was later second and third before he was given a four-month rest. On his return Dec. 16, Hauraki Gulf finished third by slightly more than a half-length in a five-furlong handicap at Ballina.

Similar to Mr Tabasco, Hauraki Gulf is best suited by racing from a stalking position.

Coffs Harbour has an eight-race program beginning at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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