Australia: Narnia returns from layoff in handicap at Taree

By late January, Narnia showed signs of needing a rest in Australia.

The gelding won for the first time in his career in his fourth race last September, but was third, fourth, and 11th in his next three starts.

Narnia’s career resumes Sunday evening after a rest of more than three months in a modest handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Taree Racecourse, three hours north of Sydney.

Narnia, trained by Paul Shailer, will start for the second time at Taree. In January, Narnia was 11th of 14 in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Taree.

For Sunday evening’s race, Narnia was 9-2 in early betting on Saturday, the fourth choice in a field of 10. Sumo Fish, a maiden race winner at Port Macquarie on April 23, was the 3-1 favorite, followed by Vain Rich (7-2) and Mallee Boy Express (4-1).

Narnia is a closer who will need an outsider such as Golden Galaxy to set a solid pace to help his chances for a second win in his eighth start.

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Sumo Fish needed five races to beat maidens, closing from fifth to win by slightly less than a length in a race at six furlongs. He should be helped by soft turf conditions at Taree.

Vain Rich, winless in his last five starts, will race for the 13th time at Taree. A 4-year-old gelding, Vain Rich finished sixth of 12 in a seven-furlong handicap at this level at Tamworth on April 21, but was beaten only 1 1/2 lengths.

Mallee Boy Express beat maidens in his 19th start at 6 1/2 furlongs at Taree on March 7, and followed with a second-place finish by slightly less than a length in a five-furlong handicap at Ballina on April 11 in his first start against winners.

The distance at Ballina was arguably too short for Mallee Boy Express, who has been second twice and third in seven races in 20 starts.

Mallee Boy Express typically races as a stalker.

Taree has a seven-race program beginning at 10:40 p.m. Eastern, or 7:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.