Australia: Pair of streaking geldings meet for first time in handicap

The last five weeks have been a career-changing span for the Australian geldings Bullbarrow and Vincenzo, with both winning consecutive starts for the first time.

The mini winning streaks have led to their first meeting in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Wyong Racecourse on Saturday evening.

Vincenzo, the 8-5 favorite in early betting on Friday, won twice against winners in handicaps at 1 1/4 miles at Kembla Grange on July 20 and Aug. 5. Bullbarrow, 5-2 in early betting, won a maiden race at about 1 1/16 miles at Muswellbrook on July 30, and a handicap at 1 5/16 miles on the infield Beaumont course at Newcastle on Aug. 14.

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There is little separating them in the weights for the race at Wyong. Vincenzo shares topweight of 131 pounds with Piraeus, while Bullbarrow will carry 127.8 pounds.

Strategically, the most notable difference between Bullbarrow and Vincenzo is Bullbarrow’s tendency to close from farther off the pace. Bullbarrow lost his first four starts before the recent wins. The win at Newcastle is the longest race of his career.

Bullbarrow and Vincenzo are part of a field of eight in the third race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:30 p.m. Eastern or 7:30 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Piraeus was rated as the third choice at 9-2 in early betting. A winner of 2 of 9 starts, Piraeus has been beaten in his last six starts and will race for the first time at 1 5/16 miles at Wyong. Piraeus was third in his last two races, including a fast-closing effort in a one-mile handicap at Kembla Grange on Aug. 12.

Piraeus tends to run from off the pace. He was beaten less than two lengths in his last start.

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