Australia: Our Big Mike the wildcard in R.M. Ansett Classic at Mornington
Our Big Mike was a stakes winner in New Zealand in 2018 and raced unsuccessfully in group stakes in that country. Where he fits in Australian racing will be better known after Sunday’s $98,280 R.M. Ansett Classic at Mornington Racecourse near Melbourne.
Our Big Mike, an 8-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, was second in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Te Rapa Racecourse in New Zealand on Sept. 5. A winner of 10 of 38 starts, Our Big Mike was recently transferred to trainer Brett Scott, who is based at Mornington. Scott had six winners from 50 starters from May 13 through Thursday.
:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing
Our Big Mike will carry top weight of 134.4 pounds in the Ansett Classic, which drew a field of 11 and is run at about 1 1/2 miles. Our Big Mike has won at distances ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 9/16 miles. He is winless in four starts since winning a handicap at 1 5/16 miles in New Zealand in February. In his following start, Our Big Make was 15th of 16 in the Group 1 Auckland Cup.
Fellow New Zealand-breds High Emocean, the likely favorite, and Tavirun have more favorable weight assignments. High Emocean will carry minimum weight of 123 pounds, while Tavirun will carry 130 pounds.
The Ansett Classic is the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins at 11:25 p.m., Eastern, or 8:25 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
High Emocean was third in his last start, a handicap at 1 9/16 miles at Moonee Valley on Aug. 22. The defeat ended a three-race winning streak, which included handicaps at 1 5/16 miles and 1 1/2 miles in May and June. Jye McNeil has the mount on Sunday.
Tavirun was fourth of five in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Racecourse on Aug. 29, but did win a handicap at 1 /-8 miles at Sandown Racecourse in July. Tavirun tends to run near the front, which could give him an advantage in a race without too many apparent front-runners.