Australia: Sig Positano looks to end skid in Sale handicap

The recent New Zealand import Sig Positano and The Gauch, unraced since December, start in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Sale Racecourse in Australia on Thursday with both facing key questions.

Sig Positano is winless in five starts since October, but was a game second in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Echuca Racecourse in July 26 in his Australian debut. Sig Positano was the 2-1 favorite and was beaten a length in his first start since February. If he can repeat that effort, the 4-year-old Sig Positano has an excellent chance for a second career win in his ninth start.

Sig Positano would be favored in the handicap at Sale were it not for the presence of The Gauch, a 4-year-old colt. Last November, The Gauch was second in his debut and won his second start in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs in December at tiny Traralgon Racecourse, about 100 miles from Melbourne.

The Gauch will have his 2020 debut Thursday and must show some improvement against a more difficult field at Sale, one of the top countryside tracks in the state of Victoria.

Thursday’s handicap drew a field of 12. Sig Positano and The Gauch will carry 130 pounds and are two of four runners with that weight assignment, the highest in the race. Eagle Spirit was assigned 138.8 pounds, but the presence of apprentice jockey Tayla Childs reduces the assignment significantly.

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Eagle Spirit is taking a drop in class, having finished 10th of 14 in a six-furlong handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Aug. 1 in Melbourne. A 7-year-old gelding, Eagle Spirit is winless in six starts since a six-furlong handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse last October.

Eagle Spirit is capable of setting the pace and may not face significant early pressure, although Sig Positano and The Gauch tend to run as close stalkers.

First post time at Sale is 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.