Australia: Scout looks to rebound in QTIS 3-year-old Handicap

Group stakes and seven-figure races in Australia have been too difficult for the 3-year-old gelding Scout in recent months.

Scout, who starts as the highweight in Thursday’s TAB Queenland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme 3-year-old Handicap at Gold Coast Racecourse, has won 3 of 10 starts in his career.

A gelding, Scout won three consecutive starts last November and December before finishing sixth in the Group 3 Magic Millions Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Dec. 28 and sixth in the Magic Millions 3-year-old Guineas at seven furlongs on Jan. 11 at Gold Coast. In between those starts, Scout was second by a half-length in a $150,000 race for 3- and 4-year-old colts and geldings at Gold Coast on Jan. 4, his latest outing.

Scout, trained by the father-son team of Toby and Trent Edmonds, will carry 132 pounds in the 14-runner QTIS 3-year-old Handicap.

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The Edmondses have three other runners – Fisticuffs, Baroda, and Befana – that won their last starts. They also run the filly Maozi, who is winless in her last starts. She will carry 122 pounds.

Fisticuffs, who will carry 131 pounds, has won three of his last four starts since August. A gelding, Fisticuffs won his first start since September in a six-furlong handicap at Doomben Racecourse on March 18.

Baroda (126) has won three consecutive starts – a maiden race and two handicaps since late December. One of five fillies in this field, Baroda tends to run near the front compared to Fisticuffs, who often races from off the pace. Scout has run well near the front and as a stalker.

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Befana (121) won her debut in a five-furlong maiden race at Sunshine Coast on March 20, closing from well of the pace to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the favorite in a field of 14. Despite her lack of experience, Befana’s low weight could give her an advantage in Thursday’s race.

The best chance of a non-Edmonds runner is probably Inching Closer, who has won his last two appearances and faces a class test. Inching Closer (121) breaks from the rail and races as a stalker, which will put an emphasis on gaining a comfortable position in the opening quarter-mile.

Wagering is available at DRFBets.com. The QTIS 3-year-old Handicap is the eighth race on a 10-race program that begins at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, or 6:30 p.m., Pacific, Wednesday across American time zones.