Australia: Sapphires Son has good post for stalking style

There were hints at the start of the year the Australian gelding Sapphires Son was not far from a win in a maiden race. He was a game second in a seven-furlong race at Scone Racecourse in January in his seventh start, losing by about a half-length.

The objective just took longer than expected, occurring in a seven-furlong race at Tamworth on Aug. 7 in Sapphires Son’s 11th start. Sapphires Son was later second in his debut against winners in a one-mile handicap at Scone on Aug. 25, and is back at the same venue in the state of New South Wales in a one-mile handicap on Tuesday.

Trained by Tracey Bartley, Sapphires Son is expected to go favored in a field of 11 and will be ridden by Mitchell Bell, who has been aboard for five of the last six starts.

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Sapphires Son starts from post 3, which should suit his stalking style.

None of the runners won their last starts. The well-regarded Magic Charlee was eighth in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Scone on Aug. 25, beaten three lengths as the 9-2 favorite in a field of eight. Magic Charlee ran in tougher races at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney in July.

There are four mares in the field, the most prominent of which is Five Star Gal. A winner of 4 of 23 starts, Five Star Gal was second by 1 1/4 lengths in a one-mile handicap at Mudgee after setting the pace. All four of her wins have been at a mile.

Dundee should have no trouble with the distance. He won a maiden race at 1 3/16 miles at Gosford Park in June and was fifth in the same race as Sapphires Son on Aug. 25. Dundee could easily hit the board in a race that does not have significant depth.

The Scone program begins at 10:35 p.m. Eastern, or 7:35 p.m. Pacific on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.