Australia: Pearlman has chance to end losing streak in Geelong handicap

Pearlman has won once in 10 starts, in a maiden race on the synthetic track at Dundalk Racecourse in Ireland in April 2019.

Last year, Pearlman was moved to Australia. Pearlman resumed racing earlier this year, and was beaten in three starts in April and May. There are signs the losing streak could end, perhaps as soon as on Friday in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Geelong Racecourse outside of Melbourne.

Pearlman, trained by Amy McDonald, was second by a nose in a one-mile handicap at Ballarat Racecourse on May 9, and third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Sandown Racecourse on May 26. In his three starts in Australia, Pearlman has been beaten a combined 3 3/4 lengths. He typically races from off the pace.

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A 5-year-old British-bred gelding, Pearlman has never raced at 1 1/2 miles, but did win at 1 5/16 miles in Ireland. Jockey John Allen, aboard for the narrow loss at Ballarat, has the mount on Friday.

Friday’s race drew a field of 12 and is the seventh race on a nine-race program that begins at 10:25 p.m. Eastern, or 7:25 p.m. Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Prince Alby should have no issue with the distance of the Geelong race. A 7-year-old gelding, Prince Alby is unbeaten in two starts at Geelong, and has won 4 of 10 starts in his career at 1 1/2 miles.

Prince Alby was second by 3 3/4 lengths in a handicap at 1 3/8 miles at Sale Racecourse on June 9, his ninth loss since a win in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Bendigo Racecourse on Aug. 9.

Omoide, a 3-year-old gelding, will start at 1 1/2 miles for the first time at Geelong. He won a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles at Cranbourne Racecourse on May 14 in his sixth start and has had one subsequent appearance, finishing fifth of 13 in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Ballarat Racecourse on May 30.