Australia: Runaway Train should like distance in Tuesday handicap

For a moderate handicap runner, Runaway Train is an important mount for top Australian jockey Jamie Kah. The 5-year-old mare is owned by her father, John.

Runaway Train has won 2 of 10 starts, with Kah aboard for both wins and nine of the races. The only one she missed was a loss in November at a time when Kah was suspended for attending a house party in late August in violation of Covid quarantine rules set forth by the government of the Australian state of Victoria and racing officials.

On Tuesday at Stony Creek Racecourse, Runaway Train will be favored to win a handicap at 1 5/16 miles, a distance that should work well. Runaway Train has won twice at about 1 1/4 miles – a maiden race at Cranbourne last April and a handicap at Mornington last May.

At Stony Creek, Runaway Train will carry topweight of 138.8 pounds in a field of 12, spotting rivals as many as 17 pounds. Many of the other leading contenders – such as Bucks and Handful – will carry 130 pounds or more.

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The handicap is the fifth race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, or 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Runaway Train was second in a handicap at about 1 3/16 miles at Yarra Valley on Jan. 16, closing from sixth in a field of 10 under Kah to miss by a head. Runaway Train was the joint highweight at 138.8 pounds in that race, spotting race winner Special Privilege slightly more than four pounds.

Bucks, who will carry 135.5 pounds at Stoney Creek, was third in the Yarra Valley race, beaten a neck. A 5-year-old gelding, Bucks won a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles at Mornington on Dec. 29, racing near the front throughout.

Handful, a 4-year-old gelding, was seventh of 12 in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Cranbourne on Jan. 14, losing by 5 1/2 lengths at odds of 12-1. Handful is winless in four starts since a victory against maidens at Kyneton last May.

At Stony Creek, Handful will carry 136.6 pounds.