Australia: Petronius faces challenge in Muswellbrook Gold Cup
A little more than a week after an expected win in Sydney, Petronius is being sent to the Australian countryside for a start in the richest race of his career in Friday’s $114,650 Muswellbrook Gold Cup at Muswellbrook Racecourse.
Trained by Gary and John Moore, Petronius ended a five-race losing streak with a half-length win in a handicap at seven furlongs as the even-money favorite on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on March 17.
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A rapid return for Friday’s race marks the fastest turnaround for the 4-year-old gelding, who has won 3 of 13 starts. Often, Petronius has started in races a little more than two weeks apart and performed well. The Muswellbrook Gold Cup, at 7 1/2 furlongs, is the third start of March for Petronius, who was third by about a length in a handicap at Warwick Farm on March 3 in his first start since early November.
Petronius led throughout the March 17 race and typically runs in that fashion. The Muswellbrook Gold Cup will have a full field of 14 and Petronius may be closely followed by two of his main rivals in Starspangled Rodeo, who is likely to be favored, and Mr Dependable.
Starspangled Rodeo, has won 5 of 15 starts, including a seven-furlong handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Feb. 20 in which the 6-year-old gelding led throughout. Trained by Bjorn Baker, Starspangled Rodeo was second in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 13, losing by about a half-length after racing in second in the first half of the race.
Starspangled Rodeo could be well placed as a stalker to Petronius.
Mr Dependable has not raced since July 4 when he was fourth in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Randwick behind High Opinion, who also starts in the Muswellbrook Gold Cup. Mr Dependable has been first in two schooling races from the gate, or barrier trials, at sprint distances this month in preparation of his return for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
The Muswellbrook program begins at 10:05 p.m., Eastern, or 7:05 p.m., Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.