Australia: October Revolution should benefit from recent start in Sunday handicap

The benefit of a recent prep race may help October Revolution overcome a hefty weight assignment in a five-furlong handicap at Tuncurry Racecourse in Australia on Sunday evening.

A winner of 3 of 19 starts, with six second-place finishes, October Revolution finished third by slightly more than a half-length in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Taree on Nov. 27 in his first start since late August.

October Revolution fought for the lead in the final sixteenth, but could not keep pace with race winner Obelius, who carried 11 fewer pounds.

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The same weight scenario could occur at Tuncurry, although October Revolution should benefit from the recent start. The shorter distance should help October Revolution, who has won twice at five furlongs.

October Revolution will share topweight of 137.7 pounds with Uncertain Terms, a 6-1 chance. October Revolution was a slight 5-2 favorite in early betting as of Saturday morning.

Bear’s A Star, winless in three starts since returning from a five-month layoff in late October, has a much lighter weight at 126.7 pounds and is rated as the biggest threat to October Revolution.

Bear’s A Star beat maidens in his second start in May in a five-furlong race at Taree and has since finished third, 10th and fourth in three starts against winners at Taree, where the gelding is trained by Glen Milligan.

In his last start, Bear’s A Star was beaten slightly more than a length in the same race as October Revolution on Nov. 27.

This is Bear’s A Star’s first start away from Taree in his sixth career start, although the van ride to Tuncurry is only 30 miles.

Tuncurry 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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