Australia: The Rattlesnake early favorite in 5-furlong handicap at Bullina

The Rattlesnake had an ideal start to his career in August 2021, winning a half-mile maiden race at Ipswich Racecourse on Australia.

It seemed unlikely at the time that The Rattlesnake would lose his next 12 races, a streak that ended in a five-furlong handicap at Sunshine Coast Racecourse on March 3 in his first start since September.

The fine start to his 2023 campaign has made The Rattlesnake the 2-1 favorite in early betting to win for the third time in his career in a five-furlong handicap at Ballina Racecourse on Monday evening.

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The Rattlesnake, trained by Chris Anderson, is part of a field of eight in the first race on a seven-race program that begins at 11:10 p.m. Eastern, or 8:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The Rattlesnake breaks from post 4, which should suit the 4-year-old gelding’s tracking style. Bailey Wheeler, who was aboard for the March 3 win, retains the mount. Anderson’s stable has been in fairly decent form of late, winning with 8 of his last 50 runners from Feb. 1 through Sunday.

The Rattlesnake will have a target in Sir Havachat, a winner of 2 of 4 starts in a career that began last July. Sir Havachat led throughout consecutive starts in a maiden race last August and a handicap in January, both at five furlongs, but was fourth by 2 1/2 lengths in a five-furlong handicap at Grafton on March 3.

Sir Havachat was second early, but unable to keep pace with rivals in the final furlong at Grafton.

A fast pace at Ballina will suit Alf’s Magic, who was overmatched when last of 13 in a seven-furlong handicap that was a stakes qualifier at Coffs Harbour on Feb. 18. As recently as December, Alf’s Magic was second by a head in a five-furlong handicap at Ballina, closing from third to just miss.

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