Australia: Redoute’s Image looks for repeat win in Warwick Farm sprint

Redoute’s Image did not have an easy time from November to March. She was beaten in her first four starts by several runners who later won or placed in stakes or lucrative statebred races.

Redoute’s Image finally won for the first time in her fifth start, in a maiden race against 2-year-old fillies at Canterbury Park on July 22, her first start in more than four months. For her 3-year-old debut in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, Redoute’s Image will race against older fillies and mares.

Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds have their annual birthdays on Aug. 1.

Even though Redoute’s Image is the only 3-year in a field of 11, she rates as contender on the basis of her recent win, the company she kept during the Australian summer, and a low weight assignment of 121 pounds. The fact she is from the stable of top trainer Kris Lees is not going to deter too many bettors.

Redoute’s Image is likely to be near the front in pursuit of expected pacesetter Willowheart, who is likely to go favored. A 4-year-old mare, Willowheart has won 2 of 5 starts and is trained by Chris Waller.

Willowheart finished fifth against a tougher field at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on July 25 in her first start since March. Both of Willowheart’s wins have come at 5 1/2 furlongs – a maiden race on the Kensington course at Royal Randwick last October and a handicap at Canterbury Park in February. She set the pace in both races.

Willowheart will carry joint top weight of 130 pounds with Super Oasis, a 4-year-old filly also trained by Waller. Super Oasis, a winner of 2 of 10 starts, was sixth in the same handicap as Willowheart on July 25.

Wednesday’s race will be the second start in Australia for the New Zealand-bred Bothered, a winner of 4 of 13 starts. Bothered won her final start in New Zealand on June 20 and her debut in Australia on July 25, going gate to wire in a five-furlong handicap at Gosford Park.

The seven-race Warwick Farm program begins at 11:25 p.m., Eastern, or 8:25 p.m., Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.