Australia: Play My Song may find sweeter notes in shorter distance

A return to a five-furlong handicap may lead to a second career win for Play My Song at Tuncurry Racecourse in Australia across American time zones on Monday evening.

A 3-year-old filly, Play My Song was the even-money favorite in early betting on Sunday in a field of 12 on the second race of an eight-race program that begins at 9:35 p.m. Eastern, or 6:35 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Play My Song has started seven times, and has won once – in a five-furlong handicap at Muswellbrook on July 1, leading throughout.

At Tuncurry, Play My Song will be ridden by Mikayla Weir, who rode the filly for her win at Muswellbrook and in her last two starts in six-furlong handicaps at Gosforth Park – a second on Nov. 19 and a fourth on Nov. 30. In both races, Play My Song was prominent to the final furlong before fading, suggesting this shorter trip should be a better fit.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Play My Song drew post 5, which should be an ideal post. Five-furlong races at Tuncurry start from a chute on the backstretch and join the final turn of the right-handed track with about three furlongs remaining, ample time for Weir to move the filly toward the lead and avoid losing too much ground.

Play My Song will carry 123 pounds, well below topweight Monte di Fiore at 133 pounds.

The Tuncurry race is a class drop for the 7-year-old gelding Flash Palace, who is winless in six starts since he won consecutive races in handicaps at about 4 1/2 furlongs at Tuncurry in March and at five furlongs at Port Macquarie in April.

Flash Palace, who will carry 130 pounds, is versatile. He has won from the front and is also effective from off the pace.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.