Australia: Savvy Clown favored to win third straight handicap

Savvy Clown will be favored to win his third consecutive start in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Gosford Racecourse in Australia on Thursday, and will have a familiar rival as a target.

Savvy Clown, a 4-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, has won his last two starts and 3 of 7 races in his career. At Gosford, Savvy Clown will carry top weight of 129 pounds against three well-regarded rivals in Microna (127.8 pounds), the filly Alchermes (125.6), and Divine Eleven (124.5).

In early betting on Tuesday, Savvy Clown was the 3-1 favorite. The others were 5-1.

Trained by Jason Deamer, Savvy Clown was fourth in a seven-furlong handicap at Taree Racecourse on Nov. 16 in his first start in six months. Savvy Clown won a handicap at a mile at Hawkesbury on Dec. 6 and a handicap at about 1 1/8 miles at Newcastle on Dec. 19. In both races, Savvy Clown closed from the middle of the field.

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Thursday’s distance should not be an issue for Savvy Clown, who won a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Port Macquarie in April.

Microna is expected to set the pace, and could be unopposed on the lead. On Dec. 19, Savvy Clown caught Microna at Newcastle, winning by a half-length. Divine Eleven was fourth in that field, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, as the 5-2 favorite.

Microna was winless in 14 starts until a maiden race at about 1 3/16 miles at Newcastle on Oct. 31 and followed with a win in a handicap at about 1 1/8 miles at Canterbury Park on Nov. 15.

Alchermes, a winner of 2 of 9 starts, will face a slightly easier group than her recent races in an attempt to end a six-race losing streak. Alchermes has not won beyond seven furlongs, but was a decent fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury Park on Dec. 11.

Gosford Park has a seven-race program beginning at 9:35 p.m. Eastern, or 6:35 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Viewing and wagering is available through DRFBets.com.