Australia: On a Promise a viable longshot play in Gilgandra Cup
On a Promise had a five-race winning streak end with a seventh-place finish in a minor handicap at Orange Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 14.
The setback was predictable. On a Promise had compiled some of the wins in lesser races and was 10-1 when beaten by 3 3/4 lengths at Orange.
Still, the 6-year-old gelding has good form in recent months, suggesting he is a longshot to consider in Sunday’s minor Gilgandra Cup at a mile at Gilgandra Racecourse. Gilgandra is an agricultural community located well northwest of Sydney.
On a Promise is part of a full field of 12 in a Gilgandra Cup that lacks a standout.
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Notabadidea, a winner of 6 of 55 starts, is the 132-pound topweight, giving most of the field 11 pounds. Notabadidea has a handicap rating so superior to the other runners that most of the field will carry minimum weight of 121 pounds even though their true handicap ratings would result in an assignment even lower.
Notabadidea has an official handicap rating of 78, while another leading contender Prodigal Prince is rated at 58. Prodigal Prince will carry 121 pounds, but is rated to carry 112 compared to Notabadidea. On a Promise has an official rating of 67 and will carry 121 pounds.
A 6-year-old gelding, Notabadidea started twice in December, finishing third in the Mudgee Cup at a mile on Dec. 3, and sixth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Armidale Cup at Tamworth Racecourse on Dec. 12. Notabadidea is quick enough to set the pace; On a Promise tends to run as a stalker.
Mandalong Tapit was fourth in the Armidale Cup, beaten about 1 3/4 lengths. A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred, Mandalong Tapit has won 5 of 42 starts, but is winless in his last 11 starts. He is quick enough to race as a stalker and could easily finish in the first three.
Gilgandra has an eight-race program that begins at 9:20 p.m. Eastern, or 6:20 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.