Australia: Silent Tryst takes on males in Muswellbrook handicap

A four-month layoff in late 2020 has boosted the 3-year-old Australian-bred filly Silent Tryst.

In her first three starts this year, Silent Tryst won a maiden race at six furlongs at Gosford Racecourse on Jan. 27 in her first start after the rest, finished second in her debut against winners in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Newcastle on Feb. 18, and won a seven-furlong handicap against males at Orange Racecourse on March 21.

Those results give Silent Tryst the role of favorite in a handicap against males at 7 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Friday in the longest race of her career. Silent Tryst has won 2 of 5 starts, having finished second in two maiden races last September.

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Trained by Matthew Vella, Silent Tryst will be ridden by Alysha Collett, who was aboard for the March 21 win. Collett is expected to have Silent Tryst in a handy position in the first half-mile.

Momack, a 4-year-old gelding by Uncle Mo, has had a similar career experience as Silent Tryst. A winner of 2 of 8 starts, Momack returned from a layoff of more than eight months to finish fourth in a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth on March 21.

Momack won consecutive starts at a mile and seven furlongs last May and June, and will benefit from the recent start and this longer distance.

Adios Steve has won 2 of 10 starts, with both victories at Muswellbrook. Adios Steve is winless in five starts since a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook last August. On April 1, Adios Steve was second by 2 1/2 lengths in a one-mile handicap at Gosford Racecourse as a 20-1 outsider.

Muswellbrook has an eight-race program beginning at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.