Australia: Refreshed brings her speed to one-mile handicap at Benalla

The speed of the 5-year-old mare Refreshed may outlast appealing closers such as I’m a Bronco and Dance Ready in a one-mile handicap at Benalla Racecourse in Australia on Monday.

All three have attractive credentials in a field of 13 in the sixth race on a nine-race program that begins at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, or 7:30 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Refreshed has repeatedly shown the ability to lead or dispute the pace in her 15-race career. A two-time winner, Refreshed is winless in five starts since a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Geelong in May. In her last start, Refreshed was third by 2 1/4 lengths in a seven-furlong handicap at Bendigo Racecourse on Aug. 20. Onslaught won the race by two lengths as the 2-1 favorite.

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At Benalla, Refreshed could face early pressure from another 5-year-old mare in Sunset Eagle, a winner of 4 of 24 starts.

Left alone, Refreshed could be dangerous. If a duel develops, I’m a Bronco and Dance Ready will benefit.

I’m a Bronco won his second start against maidens in a seven-furlong race at Sale on July 25, closing from last in a field of 13 to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths as the 6-5 favorite. Trained by Patrick Payne, I’m a Bronco will be favored at Benalla in the longest start of the 4-year-old’s career.

I’m a Bronco has been well regarded throughout his brief career. He was second by a length as the 2-1 favorite in a six-furlong maiden race at Echuca on July 3.

Dance Ready, a winner of 3 of 24 starts, will have his third start of August at Benalla. Earlier this month at Bendigo Racecourse, Dance Ready was third by 1 3/4 lengths in a seven-furlong handicap on Aug. 8 and third by a little more than a length in a one-mile handicap on Aug. 20.