Australia: Snitzinnati in good spot in Hawkesbury handicap

Riding Snitzinnati in a handicap at Hawkesbury Racecourse in Australia on Thursday will be a welcome distraction for jockey James Innes Jr.

Snitzinnati won 2 of 3 starts in February and March with Innes aboard. The 3-year-old Australian-bred filly will be at the top of the betting market in a five-furlong handicap.

Innes will be happy to be in action. Tuesday, he was one of 10 jockeys ordered off their mounts at Gosford Racecourse after concern that another rider had displayed symptoms of the coronavirus. The 11 riders were part of the Rosehill Gardens program last Saturday.

Innes and nine other riders were asked to undergo testing, but the procedure was eventually canceled after the rider who initially displayed concerning symptoms tested negative. The rider was not named in press reports.

Innes has two mounts on the seven-race program at Hawkesbury, which begins at 10:50 p.m. Eastern, or 7:50 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Snitzinnati, by Snitzel, won her debut in a five-furlong maiden race in February at Muswellbrook, finished fourth in her first start against winners in a six-furlong handicap on March 6 at Newcastle, and won a five-furlong handicap at Hawkesbury as the 4-5 favorite by three lengths 11 days later.

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Trained by Gerald Ryan, Snitzinnati has been part of two training races from the gate, or barrier trials, in recent weeks.

Snitzinnati will carry 129 pounds, an assignment certain to rise if she keeps winning and remains in handicaps. She races from off the pace, which could be an advantageous strategy Thursday.

The quick gelding Captain Courageous carries top weight of 135.5 pounds. He led throughout a five-furlong handicap at Hawkesbury in a 25-1 upset on June 7 in his first start since November.

Captain Courageous is trained at Hawkesbury Racecourse by Tara and Phillipe Vigouroux and has won 3 of 6 starts on the course.

Captain Courageous could face early pressure from Lord Zoulander, who will carry 134.4 pounds. Lord Zoulander has won his last two starts in handicaps at Kembla Grange, a six-furlong race May 19 and a five-furlong race May 30.

Kathy O’Hara was aboard for those races and has the mount Thursday.

Thursday’s race is the Hawkesbury debut, and first start since February, for the well-regarded 3-year-old filly Special Date. Trained by Matthew Vella, Special Date has won 2 of 5 starts, with both wins at 4 1/2 furlongs earlier this year. She is another runner expected to contest the pace.