Australia: Oakfield Prince could be 2 for 2 with Monday win

Oakfield Prince won a productive maiden race in his debut at Muswellbrook Racecourse in Australia in January.

Mother’s Day and Nana Neddy, who were second and third, returned to win their following starts.

Oakfield Prince, unraced since January, can further enhance that race in his second outing in a six-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie Racecourse on Monday. Trained by Damien Lane, Oakfield Prince is the most lightly raced runner in a field of 11 and one of five males in a race with six fillies and mares.

Oakfield Prince, a 3-year-old Australian-bred gelding, led throughout in his maiden race win at about 6 1/2 furlongs, pulling clear by three lengths. The same strategy may be more difficult in the Port Macquarie race, with possible pace pressure from runners such as Tools Down and Two Up.

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Tools Down won a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Armidale Racecourse on April 13, leading throughout for his second win in three starts this year.

Two Up was third and sixth in sprint handicaps at Scone Racecourse in February and March after setting the pace. Two Up was fifth in a six-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie on April 16, racing as a closer.

Any sort of rapid pace will benefit Glowing Red, who is likely to go favored. A 3-year-old filly, Glowing Red won a six-furlong maiden race at Newcastle last November in her second start and has started once this year, finishing third in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury Racecourse on April 5. This slightly longer distance should help Glowing Red.

Port Macquarie, located on the Australian east coast north of Sydney, has a seven-race program, beginning at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.