Australia: Par Five comes out of productive August maiden victory

Nearly four months after he beat maidens in his fourth start, Par Five runs in a six-furlong handicap at Gosford Racecourse in Australia on Wednesday evening across American time zones that looks ideal for his stalking style.

Par Five, who was favored at 2-1 in early betting on Tuesday, closed from third in a field of 13 to win a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs by slightly less than two lengths at Scone Racecourse on Aug. 23.

It turned out to be a productive race. Honour the Crown and Rhythm Is A Dancer, who finished second and third, returned to win maiden races in September.

Par Five, trained by Paul Perry, will be ridden for the first time by Kerrin McEvoy, who will need a patient approach. Par Five will start from the rail in a field of 11 and is likely to be tracking First Peoples and Oxford Vision.

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First Peoples has won once in nine starts. A 5-year-old gelding, First Peoples was second by three-quarters of a length in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Taree Racecourse on Nov. 22 in his first start since April. First Peoples led to the final furlong before he was caught by Willinga Freefall, who is unbeaten in three starts. Willinga Freefall followed the Nov. 22 win with a victory in a seven-furlong handicap at odds of 1-2 at Taree Racecourse on Dec. 13.

First Peoples is winless in his last six starts.

Elleves will have a quick turnaround after finishing fifth by slightly less than two lengths in a five-furlong handicap at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Dec. 10 in his first start since June. The distance may have been too short for Elleves, who runs from off the pace. He can be a factor in the stretch at Gosford.

Gosford has a seven-race program beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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