Australia: Reliable Dude has reasonable chance to end lengthy losing streak

In his 30-race career in Australia, Reliable Dude has raced at distances ranging from six furlongs in his debut in 2020 to 1 1/4 miles in more recent starts.

A 5-year-old New Zealand-bred, Reliable Dude has won at seven furlongs and a mile and has run well at 1 1/4 miles, including a nose loss at the distance at Hawkesbury Racecourse in March.

Reliable Dude is back at Hawkesbury for the longest race of his career at 1 5/16 miles on Wednesday evening.

Considering his close finish in March, Reliable Dude can end a 20-race losing streak since June 2021 in a field of 11. Early bettors have backed Reliable Dude, who was the 4-1 second choice behind 2-1 Gorgeous Zara in early betting as of Tuesday.

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Since the March loss at Hawkesbury, Reliable Dude has started twice, including a third by a half-length in a one-mile handicap at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on May 4. Reliable Dude closed from fifth of 10, finishing well through the final furlong.

The 3-year-old filly Gorgeous Zara is the most lightly raced runner facing Reliable Dude, with a maiden race win at about 1 1/8 miles at Newcastle Racecourse on May 4 as her only win in five starts.

Gorgeous Zara will face winners for the first time at Hawkesbury in the longest race of her career. Chad Schofield, who was aboard for the maiden race win, rides Gorgeous Zara, who runs from off the pace.

The Irish-bred 5-year-old Funambulist and 4-year-old gelding Makadeel are capable of wins.

Funambulist won a handicap at 1 5/8 miles last June, but is winless in his last three starts. A closer, Funambulist was sixth in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles on heavy turf at Kembla Grange on April 26 that may have been more testing than he prefers.

The turf course at Hawkesbury is rated as soft for the Wednesday evening race.

Makadeel won for the second time in 12 starts in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Gosforth Racecourse on April 25 in his last start. This will be Makadeel’s first start at 1 1/4 miles, a distance that should be within his range.

Hawkesbury has an eight-race program beginning at 10:15 p.m. Eastern or 7:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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