Australia: Muswellbrook catches some class relief in handicap at Geelong

A drop in class nearly put the Australian gelding Muswellbrook in the winner’s circle for the first time in 12 starts at Cranbourne Racecourse on May 21.

The losing streak covers many starts, but not necessarily a lot of time. Muswellbrook won a seven-furlong handicap at Sale Racecourse in May 2020. Since then, Muswellbrook has largely raced in tougher company than he faced at Cranbourne, or that he will meet in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Geelong Racecourse near Melbourne on Sunday.

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Trained by the partnership of Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes, Muswellbrook was beaten a short head at Cranbourne, closing from ninth in a field of 11. At Geelong, Muswellbrook will be ridden by apprentice jockey Josh Richards, who was aboard for the Cranbourne race, and will break from post 13 in a field of 14. The outside post should not be an issue considering the 5-year-old’s closing style.

The presence of Richards reduces the weight assignment to 133 pounds, leaving Muswellbrook as the joint topweight with the longshot Beetwentynine.

Muswellbrook, a winner of 3 of 37 starts, and the lightly raced Seiners Express are expected to be the two leading choice, at around 9-2 or 5-1. Seiners Express won a maiden race in his second start last September and was second and sixth in his first two starts this year.

Seiners Express was sixth in a seven-furlong handicap at Ballarat on May 9, and will be fitted with blinkers for the first time at Geelong. A repeat of the second-place finish by Seiners Express in a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Kilmore Racecourse on April 22 would make the 3-year-old gelding competitive in this field in his fifth start.

The filly Indian Doll faces winners for the first time at Geelong following a maiden race win against 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs Bendigo on May 16. Indian Doll raced near the front throughout that race as a 6-1 chance. She is expected to be a slightly higher price at Geelong, but rates as a filly to consider in multi-horse bets.

Geelong has an eight-race program beginning at 10:20 p.m., Eastern, or 7:20 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.