Australia: Road gets tougher for unbeaten Ang Pow in his third start

The 4-year-old gelding Ang Pow has yet to be tested in his first two starts in Australia.

Ang Pow won his debut in a six-furlong maiden race at Tamworth by 4 1/4 lengths as the even-money favorite on Sept. 13 and closed well to win a six-furlong handicap by a little more than 2 1/2 lengths at Bathurst on Sept. 23.

Ang Pow’s unbeaten streak may be tested in his third start, a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth on Monday. Trained by William Freedman, Ang Pow is part of a full field of 14 on the final race on a seven-race program that begins at 10:55 p.m. Eastern, or 7:55 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday.

Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Ang Pow tends to run as a stalker, which should work in this large field. The only surprise is the absence of a named jockey two days before the race. Brandon Griffiths rode Ang Pow in his first two starts, but was not named to ride at Tamworth as of Saturday.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Recent winners Raoul and Xiaoli’s Ying are capable of big performances.

Raoul beat maidens in his sixth start in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Scone Racecourse on Sept. 24 as the even-money favorite. Trained by Cameron Crockett, Raoul has finished in the top three in all of his starts, and tends to run from off the pace.

Xiaoli’s Ying, a 5-year-old mare, has won 2 of 12 starts and is quick enough to set the pace.

Trained by David Atkins, Xiaoli’s Ying won a handicap at five furlongs at Port Macquarie on Sept. 26 to end a six-race losing streak that began in December 2019. The recent win at Port Macquarie was Xiaoli’s Ying second start after a layoff of more than 10 months.

Cecilia, another 5-year-old mare, has won 3 of 14 races, but is winless in her last five starts since a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth in April. This is her first start since a second at 4-5 in a one-mile handicap at Tamworth. Cecilia has not won at a distance beyond six furlongs.