Australia: Principals in handicap at Benalla each come off a troubled trip

Beau Night, Bubbly Lass and Stonefield each lost last out because of a poor start or trouble in the stretch.

With a better trip, one of them can win a seven-furlong handicap at Benalla Racecourse on Sunday evening across American time zones.

Beau Night was a slight favorite as of Saturday over Bubbly Lass and Stonefield in a field of 14. All eight races at Benalla drew fields of 12 to 14 runners, making for intriguing betting races on a program that begins at 11 p.m. Eastern or 8 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Beau Night had a slow start in a seven-furlong handicap at Sale Racecourse on Aug. 21. He close from last in a field of nine to lose by slightly more than two lengths. Beau Night is winless in five starts since a maiden race win in his debut in January. Beau Night tends to stalk the pace, and he is well drawn in post 8 in this large field.

Bubbly Lass also had a slow start in her last start, finishing fifth of 10 by slightly less than five lengths in a seven-furlong handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on Aug. 4. A 5-year-old mare, she is being given a slight drop in class at Benalla, which could help end a nine-race losing streak that includes three second-place finishes.

Stonefield, a winner of 3 of 26 starts, won a seven-furlong handicap at Wangaratta Racecourse on Aug. 8 to end a 10-race losing streak. The race at Wangaratta was Stonefield’s first start for trainer Andrew Dale after a stable transfer.

On Aug. 18, Stonefield finished fourth of eight, beaten by 5 3/4 lengths after racing in traffic in the stretch going seven furlongs at Echuca.

Joe Bowditch takes the mount, replacing Jake Duffy. Bowditch will be entrusted to find a clear path for Stonefield from an inside post.

Stonefield has won 3 of 14 starts at seven furlongs.