Australia: Smokin' Romans favored to break through at Sandown after several near misses

A series of narrow losses in the last six weeks has done nothing to damage the reputation of Smokin’ Romans, who will start favored in a competitive handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday.

Smokin’ Romans has won 3 of 12 starts and is arguably unlucky not to have a better record. A 4-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, Smokin’ Romans was second by a head in a one-mile handicap at Bendigo Racecourse on May 16, second by a head in a one-mile handicap at Sandown on June 2, and second by a nose in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Sandown on June 16.

Smokin’ Romans was favored in each start and raced as a stalker.

In Wednesday’s race, Smokin’ Romans will be ridden for the first time by Craig Williams, who has won with 13 of his last 50 mounts from May 15 to Saturday. During that span, Williams has won seven stakes, including two at the Group 1 level.

Smokin’ Romans starts in the sixth race of an excellent nine-race program that includes several quality mid-week races and solid field sizes. First post time is 9:55 p.m. Eastern, or 6:55 p.m. Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Smokin’ Romans has a familiar rival in Duke of Plumpton, who was third in the June 16 race at Sandown, closing from sixth to miss by a little more than a half-length. A winner of 4 of 22 starts, Duke of Plumpton is winless in 12 starts since April 2020. His recent race at Sandown was a much brighter performance than results earlier this year.

Vegas Knight, a winner of 3 of 26 starts, has won at 1 1/4 miles in the past, and was a good second by slightly less than a half-length after leading into the stretch of a tough handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Flemington Racecourse on June 5.

Vegas Knight tends to run near the front, utilizing that style to win a one-mile handicap at Flemington on May 15.