Australia: Secret Glamour early favorite in Anzac Day Cup

A familiar ensemble of turf marathoners starts in the Anzac Day Cup at 1 1/2 miles on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia on Monday evening, with several meeting for the second time this month.

At Warwick Farm Racecourse on April 10, Casual Connection closed from fifth of seven to win a handicap at 1 1/2 miles by a head over pacesetter Yarrawonga. Those two are part of the Anzac Day Cup, but are likely to yield the role of favorite to Secret Glamour, who was fourth in the same race on April 10.

Secret Glamour was beaten 1 1/4 lengths after jockey James McDonald made a bold move early in the race to reach contention, going from last to second between the mile marker and the six-furlong pole.

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Secret Glamour remained in second place until the stretch before fading in the final strides. A more conventional trip by Secret Glamour in the Anzac Day Cup could lead to the filly’s fourth win in her 19th start.

McDonald is the leading rider in Australia in earnings, with more than $20.9 million since the season began in August, and is second in the nation in wins.

As of early Sunday, Secret Glamour was the 5-2 favorite in early betting for the Anzac Day Cup, a slight choice over Yarrawonga at 3-1. Yarrawonga is likely to set the pace. The tactic nearly worked at Warwick Farm.

Casual Connection remains a threat from off the pace, but carries a higher weight following his recent win.

Deniliquin, sixth at Warwick Farm but beaten only two lengths, is part of the Anzac Day Cup field. Deniliquin had a two-race winning streak end at Warwick Farm when he closed from last to be nearest the front at the finish.

Kensington has an eight-race program beginning at 10:45 p.m. Eastern or 7:45 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Anzac Day is a national holiday in Australia and New Zealand very similar to Memorial Day.

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