Australia: Realm of Flowers returns from layoff in Cranbourne handicap

Realm of Flowers had an ideal conclusion to her Australian autumn campaign in May with a first career group stakes win in the Group 3 South Australia Fillies Classic at Morphettville Racecourse.

Realm of Flowers made a sharp rise through the class ranks in the first five months of the year, going from a maiden race winner at a mile in January to the win in the South Australia Fillies Classic at 1 9/16 miles.

A 4-year-old New Zealand-bred mare, Realm of Flowers starts for the first time since May in a seven-furlong handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on Sunday. While she won the Fillies Classic over an extended distance, Realm of Flowers has raced well at shorter distances. Aside from the maiden race win, Realm of Flowers won a handicap at about 7 1/2 furlongs at Geelong Racecourse in March.

The handicap is the eighth race on a nine-race program that begins at 10:55 p.m., Eastern, or 7:55 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available at DRFBets.com.

Realm of Flowers is expected to be part of a full field of 13. Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Realm of Flowers will start from post 6 and is a threat from off the pace. She will carry 129 pounds, far less than topweight Kalashani Lad at 135.5 pounds.

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Titan Blinders (132) and Chuck a Luck (131) have solid form in the last several months and command respect.

Titan Blinders, a 5-year-old gelding, has been second or third in five starts since a win in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Ballarat last November. Titan Blinders was second in two starts in August, his first races since January.

Chuck a Luck was fourth in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse on April 14, but only ninth of 11 as the 5-2 favorite after losing a shoe in a seven-furlong handicap at Sandown Racecourse in his comeback from a four-month layoff on Aug. 26.