Australia: Rylan's Pick approaching a step up in class

With wins in two of his last three starts, the Australian gelding Rylan’s Pick is nearing a hike in handicap level to avoid carrying too much weight.

When Rylan’s Pick starts as an expected favorite in a six-furlong handicap at Dubbo Racecourse on Thursday evening, he will be stuck with the role of topweight, but will not have as severe of an assignment as possible.

Rylan’s Pick was assigned 140 pounds, but the presence of apprentice Ronald Simpson reduces the weight to 135.5 pounds, still a hefty assignment.

If Rylan’s Pick is successful at Dubbo, he is expected to start against tougher competition, and likely to carry less weight.

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Trained by Brett Robb, who is based at Dubbo, Rylan’s Pick has won 6 of 15 starts. A 5-year-old, Rylan’s Pick won a five-furlong handicap at Tamworth on April 4, but finished sixth of seven without an apparent excuse at Orange Racecourse on April 14. Rylan’s Pick rebounded to win a seven-furlong handicap at tiny Nyngan Racecourse on April 25.

The nine-horse field at Dubbo will be tougher than the race at Nyngan. Rylan’s Pick is part of the first race of an eight-race program that begins at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The four-time winner Watch Me Rumble takes a slight drop in class from a seventh-place finish in a handicap at Bathurst Racecourse on April 25 and can be a factor from off the pace.

Watch Me Rumble, who won at Dubbo earlier in his career, was a game second in a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Orange Racecourse on April 14.

This will be the first career start at Dubbo, and at six furlongs, for Shikanic, a winner of 2 of 11 starts. Shikanic is winless in four starts since a five-furlong handicap at Tamworth in November, and is being given a slight class jump from a fifth-place finish by two lengths in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Port Macquarie on May 16.

Shikanic will carry 125.6 pounds at Dubbo.

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