Australia: Sharp 4-year-olds look closely matched in handicap at Randwick

The 4-year-old geldings Kokoro and Jupitus, arguably in the best form of their careers, meet for the first time in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Tuesday.

Kokoro, a 6-5 favorite in early betting on Monday, won a seven-furlong handicap on the Kensington course on Feb. 3, closing from sixth to prevail by slightly less than a length. On Feb. 18, Kokoro was a good second by slightly less than 1 1/2 lengths in a handicap at seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse against a slightly higher class of runners than he will face on his return to Kensington on Tuesday.

Jupitus, 2-1 on Monday, closed from last of nine to win a handicap at seven furlongs at Kensington by a neck on Feb. 19. That was his first start since September.

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Kokoro may have a slight edge over Jupitus because of the drop in class and two wins earlier in his career at a mile. Jupitus will race this far for the second time, although the manner of his win at seven furlongs on Feb. 19 indicates that a longer distance should be within reach.

In September, Jupitus was seventh of 13 in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, and did not race again until Feb. 19.

Jupitus has won 3 of 8 starts and will attract support because of the powerful trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald.

Kokoro and Jupitus are likely to be in pursuit of expected pacesetter Journalism, a 4-year-old gelding who has won 3 of 10 starts. Journalism was third in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on the Kensington course on Feb. 15 and won as recently as early January in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs.

The handicap is part of an eight-race program on the Kensington course, with a first post time of 9:45 p.m. Eastern or 6:45 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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