Australia: Sanstoc gets in light in handicap at Canterbury

The New Zealand-bred filly Sanstoc has won 2 of 5 starts, and has had considerably fewer races than her rivals in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury Park in Australia on Tuesday.

With the lack of experience, Sanstoc will carry a relatively light weight of 121 pounds, less than major rivals such as Brown Thomas at 130 pounds or Good Omens at 125.6.

Sanstoc faces nine rivals at Canterbury in a competitive race.

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

Trained by Mark Newnham, Sanstoc won a maiden race in February and was last of seven in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 12 before she was given a rest.

Sanstoc was eighth of 11 in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Newcastle on Aug. 6 in her comeback at a distance arguably shorter than her best. She rebounded to win a one-mile handicap at Wyong against fillies and mares on Aug. 28.

Tuesday's race is a relatively quick turnaround and a new distance for a filly who has not raced beyond a mile.

Brown Thomas, Good Omens and Bastida are Sanstoc's main rivals.

Brown Thomas will have no issue with the distance. A winner of 9 of 39 starts, Brown Thomas won a handicap at 1 3/8 miles at Doomben on Aug. 20, ending a two-race losing streak.

Good Omens can be a factor near the front. A winner of 3 of 13 starts, Good Omens won a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Hawkesbury on Aug. 18, his second win in his last three starts.

This is the second start following a layoff for Bastida, a proven stayer. A 4-year-old gelding, Bastida was fifth in a handicap at a mile at Scone on Aug. 23 in his first start since a sixth in the Victorian St. Leger Stakes at 1 3/4 miles at Flemington on April 22.

Earlier this year, Bastida won consecutive handicaps at 1 5/16 miles and 1 1/4 miles to prove his ability at a distance.

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