Australia: Reward Seeker tries to upset stablemate Sea of Flames in Quirindi Showcase Cup

The 2022 season was a bust for Reward Seeker. He was winless in seven starts, never finishing better than fourth.

Reward Seeker, 8, had a brighter start to his 2023 campaign, finishing a good third at 19-1 in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Dubbo Racecourse on Jan. 30. Reward Seeker closed from fifth in a field of 10 to miss by 1 3/4 lengths in his first start since September.

Reward Seeker is among the leading candidates for the Quirindi Showcase Cup at a mile at Quirindi Racecourse on Thursday evening.

With his closing style, Reward Seeker will try upset stablemate Sea of Flames, who will be favored. Reward Seeker and Sea of Flames are trained by Michael Mulholland.

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Sea of Flames is in excellent form and deserves the role of favorite. The 5-year-old has won his last two starts, both at a mile at Orange Racecourse – a handicap on Jan. 6 and the Cowra Cup, also run as a handicap, on Jan. 23.

Sea of Flames, a winner of 5 of 27 starts, races from off the pace.

The Quirindi Cup is the main race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The only other 2023 winner in the field is the capable gelding Red Beryl, who won a handicap at six furlongs at Tamworth on Jan. 19 and closed from eighth in a field of 12 to finish third in the Walcha Cup at about 7 1/4 furlongs at Walcha Racecourse on Feb. 3.

Kingstar Bullet, seventh by 2 3/4 lengths in the Walcha Cup, starts in the Quirindi Cup and is one of two fillies and mares in the field. She starts from post 12 and can be a factor from off the pace.

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