Australia: Roccaforte, Star Sparks try for repeat win at Canterbury Park

The geldings Roccaforte and Star Sparks each won his last start in July and both are being given a tougher test when they start against a slightly higher class of rivals in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury Park in Sydney on Tuesday.

Roccaforte and Star Sparks are part of a field of nine, and three of their main rivals – Karlstad, Kirkeby, and Sprout Wings – are being given a slight drop in handicap levels in an effort to reverse recent losses.

The appearance of those five makes for an intriguing betting race, and one without a strong favorite. As of Monday, Karlstad was the 7-2 favorite in early betting, with Roccaforte the longest price of those five, at 6-1.

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Karlstad, who is versatile enough to race near the lead or from off the pace, is winless in four starts since winning a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs at Canterbury on June 8 in a race at this level. A winner of 4 of 20 starts for trainer Chris Waller, Karlstad was ninth of 11, beaten four lengths by stablemate Wicklow in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on July 30.

Kirkeby was sixth in same race, beaten slightly less than two lengths.

Sprout Wings, a 5-year-old mare, was the narrow winner of a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury in May against a lower class of rivals than she will face in this field. Sprout Wings has been fourth in her last two starts, and finished with some interest against tougher rivals to lose by about 2 1/2 lengths in a race at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares at Rosehill Gardens on July 30.

Roccaforte has won two of his last four starts, the only victories in his 12-race career. Trained by Richard Litt, Roccaforte won a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Wyong Racecourse on July 19, the longest victory of his career. The win shows Roccaforte should be capable of winning at this slightly shorter distance.

Star Sparks, a winner of 4 of 7 starts, led throughout a handicap at a mile at Wyong on July 28, prevailing by slightly more than a half-length. This is his first start at 1 3/16 miles, a test for a 5-year-old who is expected to set the pace.

Canterbury Park has a seven-race program beginning at 11:25 p.m. Eastern or 8:25 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.