Australia: Raoul returns from another layoff

The last time the Australian gelding Raoul returned from a layoff, he won a maiden race at Scone Racecourse in September 2021.

Raoul will race at Scone for the first time since that race in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs on Thursday evening across American time zones. This time, Raoul will be returning from an 11-month layoff at a track he knows and at a distance that should work for his return.

Trained by Scott Singleton, who is based at Scone, Raoul tends to run from off the pace, and should have a pace to follow from his start in post 11 in a field of 14. Runners such as Den Ross, Mystery Lad, She’s Contrary, and Titration have shown speed at times.

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Raoul has had nine starts. After the maiden race win at Scone, he had three more starts in 2021, finishing second, fifth, and fourth against a better class of runners than he will face in this race.

Mystery Lad is already having a good month, winning a maiden race from the front at 9-10 at six furlongs at Tamworth on Oct. 6 in his fifth start. At Scone, Mystery Lad will be ridden for the first time by Kelsey Lenton, a 20-year-old apprentice who has won seven races since her career began earlier this year.

Mystery Lad has raced from off the pace in the past, an important point since the gelding drew the rail. Lenton may opt to take a tracking position instead of sending Mystery Lad to the front and using significant energy in the opening furlongs.

Lenton did not ride from June until earlier this month. Her presence reduces Mystery Lad’s weight assignment from 130 pounds to 123.4. Raoul will carry 134.4 pounds, slightly less than topweight Ticket to Anywhere at 136.6.

Scone has an eight-race program beginning at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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