Australia: Roussos gets weight drop in Moree Cup

A low weight assignment and a return to a favored racetrack give Roussos a few advantages in the Moree Cup at Moree Racecourse in Australia on Saturday evening.

Roussos won a six-furlong handicap at Moree in mid-May, his second career race at the countryside venue. Roussos has been beaten in his last three races, the most recent of which was a third by a half-length in a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth on Aug. 25.

In the Moree Cup at seven furlongs, Roussos will carry 121 pounds, much less than topweight Notabadidea at 134.4 pounds.

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Roussos, trained by Craig Martin, is a 5-year-old gelding who has won 4 of 20 starts. The wins have come at distances ranging from six furlongs to 7 1/4 furlongs, making the Moree Cup well within range for Roussos, who tends to run from slightly off the pace.

Roussos was 4-1 in early betting on Friday, the second choice behind 3-1 Royal Charge, who has won his last two starts. Those wins are the first time Royal Charge has won consecutive races in his 27-race career, which includes six wins.

The wins occurred in minor handicaps at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on July 30 and at seven furlongs at Taree on Aug. 18. In both races, Royal Charge rallied from slightly off the pace, winning by a neck and slightly more than a half-length.

Royal Charge will carry 130 pounds in the Moree Cup, which drew a field of 14.

Notabadidea, the winner of the Narromine Cup at a mile at Narromine Racecourse on Aug. 20, and Tim’s Principal, a 10-year-old gelding who was second by a short head in a six-furlong handicap at Gosford on Aug. 24, are other contenders. Tim’s Principal will have his 65th start in the Moree Cup.

Moree has an eight-race program beginning at 10:45 p.m. Eastern or 7:45 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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