Australia: Semeco looks to get back on winning track at Geelong
Semeco set the pace, raced as a stalker, and overcame traffic issues to finish third in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Traralgon Racecourse in Australia on Nov. 27.
A slightly less eventful trip could result in a second career win for Semeco in a handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Geelong Racecourse near Melbourne on Thursday evening across American time zones.
After setting the pace for the first half-mile, Semeco was racing in third on the final turn at Traralgon when jockey Beau Mertens was briefly short of racing room. Once clear, Semeco closed to finish slightly more than 1 1/4 lengths behind race winner Flight to the Moon.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr., Semeco needed 11 starts to beat maidens, winning for the first time at Moe Racecourse on Oct. 22. He was second in a one-mile handicap at Seymour on Nov. 11 prior to the loss at Traralgon.
At Geelong, Semeco is part of a field of 11 in the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:10 p.m. Eastern or 6:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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Semeco will be ridden by Dean Holland, who is likely to have the 4-year-old gelding handy.
The race lacks a standout. Cable Dancer won his debut at 30-1 in a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs at Mornington Racecourse near Melbourne on Dec. 2 and will have his second start at Geelong. Cable Dancer closed from off the pace to win the race at Mornington by three-quarters of a length.
This is the second race following a layoff of more than six months for See Your Point, a winner of 2 of 4 starts. See Your Point won consecutive races earlier this year in a maiden race at 1 1/8 miles at Horsham in April and a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Mornington in May.
See Your Point set the pace in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Moonee Valley in Melbourne on Dec. 2 in his comeback, but faded to finish more than 3 1/2 lengths behind race winner Ballynora.
See Your Point tends to race as a stalker, and should be close to Semeco in the early running at Geelong.
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